Nevermind Smoking, Cell Phones Should Be Banned from College
December 10, 2009 | ama83
We can talk, text, check e-mails, and play games on them. No wonder it is near impossible to get students to put them down even for a mere two-hour period. Nevertheless, cell phones have become one of the top distractions in the classroom.
The great thing about cell phones is that they keep us connected to the outside world, which is also exactly the problem with them. Instead of concentrating for a short time in one room – the classroom – students want to be somewhere else that is more fun. The cell phone acts as an escape route from a monotonous lecture.
It may sound extreme and even impossible to some people, but I think cell phones should be banned in classrooms. Since people do not know how to use their phones in a mature manner, then they should not be trusted with them in (what is supposed to be) a mature atmosphere.
How often does a cell phone go off in class because a student, or even a teacher, has forgotten to turn it off? Mistakes happen. People are forgetful. We understand this because we are human. Even if the phones are set to vibrate, the whole class is alerted by the vibrations because most phones are just as loud on vibrate as they are with a ringtone.
Of course, I highly doubt that any college will actually go so far as banning cell phones from class since it would be nearly impossible to enforce this without searching students beforehand. The only logical idea would be for teachers to become stricter and for students to become more responsible college students.
Text messages seem to be the most dangerous and distracting feature of a cell phone. They are quick, silent, and almost undetectable when snuck underneath a desk. Regardless of where we are or who we are with, we have a weakness to just reach for our phones to check and answer text messages. There is no professionalism in a college classroom anymore. Something has to be done to instill a better work-environment in our schools.
It is understandable to want a distraction in the exceedingly boring classes – the ones that drag out every minute with a professor that drones on over material, which lacks excitement. When we get so bored that we cannot keep our eyes open or our minds in the classroom, our hands seem to itch for the small phones resting in our pockets, waiting to give a diversion to the dull atmosphere of the classroom.
Although reaching for the cell phone seems like a perfect escape (especially when it seems that the teacher will not even notice you’re using it) the consequences of using your phone is beyond simply turning into a rude student.
Yes, teachers take offense to seeing their students play with their phones because this lets them know how boring the class is. However, for the student, getting in the habit of reaching for your phone when you’re bored in class sets you up for continuing this behavior later in life. Your teacher may let you get away with texting in class, but I highly doubt your future boss will take texting in a meeting as lightly. If you are going to college, then you are obviously striving for a serious career, but most likely a serious career will not allow its workers to play with their phones at work. Where is the professionalism in that?
Most of us can understand the difficulty in resisting the urge to check our phones when we are notified with a beep or vibration. I know that as soon as I feel my phone vibrate, my hand instinctively reaches for my phone. I have to resist even taking the phone out of my pocket because I know if I even look at the message, I will look rude for checking my phone.
Taking your phone out during class not only shows boredom, but disinterest: disinterest in the material, disinterest in your grade, and disinterest in your future. Obviously, there will be plenty of mandatory classes that will not interest you, but is it really that hard to hold your attention in a dull room for just a couple of hours or less? Students are supposed to be adults when they hit college, but this kind of behavior with the phones is far from mature. The only counter-arguments I have ever heard regarding this subject is the absence of will-power. Does anyone else have a reasonable explanation for using your phone in class?
Very well written piece, however, I’d like to disagree–
As a freelance journalist– and senior in college– I use my cell phone all the time. I have been taking notes on a laptop since High School and thus continue to do in College. I think it’s important to remember that in the work force today, cell phones are brought into conference rooms, left out on desks and used just as much by professionals as they are by college students.
I often find myself needing to answer emails in a timely fashion and that is why I have an iPhone to be able to do just that– It’s for my work, which quite frankly is more important than lectures about old methods and outdated technologies in this economy. I need to show that I’m willing to work all the time– that’s what going to get you hired and if having my cellphone in my lap during class (in which I get mostly As and Bs mind you) is going to do, then so be it.
I think it also has to do with a student’s ability to multitask– if you can do well and take notes and answer a few emails/text messages along the way– is there really harm in that?
Great comment! I appreciate your valid points about the studious multi-tasking student, Victoria, though I would still have to politely disagree to a point. Yes, there are some lectures that are just not as important as other pressing work that can be completed on your phone. And, there are obviously certain students more capable of multi-tasking than others. However, I cannot help noting the inconsideration of the teacher’s feelings that still come into play here. Then again, there are those teachers who do not mind or pay attention to who is listening to their lecture. I suppose it is all just a matter of whose hands the cell phone lies in and whose class you end up in.
I think people need to understand how distracting these devices are to everyone in the room. Being present is so important in all aspects of our lives. And when you’re tinkering with your cell phone you’re not present. I’m guilty of it in social situations, but the classroom is different since you’re dealing with a large group. Trust me, the professor can feel it. Ever try to talk when you know you’re not being listened to? It’s very difficult to communicate when people aren’t granting you a listening. Active listening is critical to both sides of the equation. If a professor asks for you to not use the phone, than out of respect and deference to the professor you should leave it in your bag. If the prof is okay with it, go for it. But as much as you may think you’re “listening,” if you’re not actively present you are not really listening. Unless professors don’t mind, I think cell phone and laptop use has to be controlled in the classroom.
This was one of the most pressing issues discussed in the part-time faculty lounge when I was teaching. My solution was that I had a strict no cell phone policy stated very clearly in my syllabus. After day one, if you were caught texting, you were asked to leave the room and you get a zero on anything due that day or assigned that day. Once you send a few students walking…well, some still do it, but it’s at their own risk of failure. Following directions and participation were key in my class, and if you’re texting, your head obviously isn’t in the game.
Also, I often pointed out that I wasn’t allowed to text while I was teaching, and I held my students to the same standards.
Oh, and if your cell phone rang during class? You had to stand up and dance.
What teacher’s should do – that will most likely turn his/her students against him/her – is have a bucket at the door. Advise students on Day 1 that they must check their cell phones at the door.
However many students are in the class, the same amount of phones should be in the bucket.
Easy!
Those jerk faces on their cell phones should be kicked out of class and given a 0 for class participation.
The real question is, “Why do students sign up for classes if they aren’t going to learn?”
This is why so many people are closed-minded and lack any variety of knowledge.
This is a tough one. Yes, cell phones are usually a real nuisance, and I find that it is so rude when they casually talk on their cell phones at a lunch or dinner engagement, leaving you on the side lines neglected. There should be a proper and improper time for cell phones.
Victoria pointed out something so key that I took away from my college experience: in this line of work, taking great notes on outdated methods and technologies from a teacher who hasn’t been out there in awhile really gets you nowhere career wise. The ability to keep up with dynamic technologies and navigate the culture of availability today’s job market demands (while doing well in class), does. I still believe in respect, but the rules are definitely changing.
To Sus and Victoria…I would say that it depends on the professor. Students have no idea what the professor is up to outside of their class. The kinds of consulting or research they’re doing. To say they are teaching about outdated methods speaks poorly of the institution and the teaching. That shouldn’t even be an issue with the amount tuition is today. I believe you can be in the “ivory tower” and still be connected to reality. But even so…listen for the gold in every lecture. It’s there. And you won’t hear it if you have a filter of “this is not relevant.” History is a great teacher. How many mistakes would not be made if we didn’t learn the fundamentals.