2008 Woodie Awards
Cell phones in class raise questions
Bebeka Gjoksi
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/24/08 at 4:07 PM EST
Last update: 4/24/08 at 5:06 PM EST
Different generations feel differently about technology - some have become acquainted with it and some even infatuated with it. A perfect example of this is the use of cell phones in classrooms becoming a more and more common practice for all of us.
Students of our generation may not remember a time when they did not have a cell phone.
Different professors have different approaches regarding cell phone use in the classroom. There are professors who include a cell phone policy in their syllabus and warn the students to never have their cell phones on, unless they are waiting for an organ transplant, in order to emphasize the strict policy.
Others show a clip of an angry professor on YouTube smashing a student's cell phone on the ground. However, there are those professors who feel cell phones are part of our everyday life and an important means of communication, and therefore have no problem with students using them as long as it does not disrupt the continuation of the lecture.
"I teach studio art courses in which students work in a much more focused environment and in one-on-one instruction with me," said art professor Peter Russom. "My students turn their cell phones off in respect for their peers and the classroom environment."
Junior Jared Smythe said, "I don't disagree with cell phone usage in classrooms. I personally don't do it, but as long as the sound is off and it is not distracting to other students I think it is fine."
Students in general adapt their cell phone usage behavior based on the class and the professor they have. There is not set of rules that they can follow in every situation.
"I've occasionally noticed texting going on in my classroom and I think it's disrespectful," assistant professor of English Alex Mueller said. "What amazes me most is that some students do it openly."
Students of our generation may not remember a time when they did not have a cell phone.
Different professors have different approaches regarding cell phone use in the classroom. There are professors who include a cell phone policy in their syllabus and warn the students to never have their cell phones on, unless they are waiting for an organ transplant, in order to emphasize the strict policy.
Others show a clip of an angry professor on YouTube smashing a student's cell phone on the ground. However, there are those professors who feel cell phones are part of our everyday life and an important means of communication, and therefore have no problem with students using them as long as it does not disrupt the continuation of the lecture.
"I teach studio art courses in which students work in a much more focused environment and in one-on-one instruction with me," said art professor Peter Russom. "My students turn their cell phones off in respect for their peers and the classroom environment."
Junior Jared Smythe said, "I don't disagree with cell phone usage in classrooms. I personally don't do it, but as long as the sound is off and it is not distracting to other students I think it is fine."
Students in general adapt their cell phone usage behavior based on the class and the professor they have. There is not set of rules that they can follow in every situation.
"I've occasionally noticed texting going on in my classroom and I think it's disrespectful," assistant professor of English Alex Mueller said. "What amazes me most is that some students do it openly."
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