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A reasonable way to deal with student text messaging in class
Filed Under Behaviour Management, positive climate, Web 2.0 tools and technologies
uploaded by kewanja
Although cell phones are banned at school and teachers are expected to send kids to the office if they o much as see a student with a cell phone, students are still finding ways to use their cell phones to text message without teachers seeing them do it. Text messaging is difficult to spot. Student can text message on phones hidden in pockets, backpacks, under desks, behind books, ask to go to leave room for some reason, etc. ,etc., etc.
Personally, the problem of students text messaging in my classroom is the least of my problems. Believe me!
The way I look at is that when students text message in class, they’re not disturbing the other kids. Oh I know they’re interrupting their own learning momentarily, but I think it’s better for them to take a minute to deal with their text message and quickly get back to their work than to keep obsessing about ithe message and not focusing on the task at hand. Yes, it would be better if they didn’t have their cell phones in class, but they do.
Students know that they’re not supposed to text message just like they know they’re not supposed to pass notes back and forth that are written on paper. But there will always be students who pass notes back and forth, and there will always be students who text message. That’s just how it is. I have to pick my battles, and to be honest students text messaging in my class is not a battle I want to spend a lot of energy on.
If I happen notice my students text messaging in class while I’m teaching the lesson, I ask them to stop. I don’t want anything distracting students when I’m teaching the lesson. I guess I’ve have the same rule for text messaging that I have for listening to music in the classroom. Students can listen to music in my classroom as long as I’m not teaching the class or the class is not discussing something. Students can text message in my classroom as long as I’m not teaching the class or the class is not discussing something. I expect attentive listening then. Seems reasonable to me. What do you think?
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Sounds like a reasonable request. There are also some teaching activities that can center around texting such as pollanywhere.com which allows students to answer questions via text message. Students also have a camera and an internet capable computer on them at all times when they bring cell phones to class, perhaps we can make use of this some other way.
I have no problem letting kids listen to music during class ( they say music calms the savage beast) and I agree with the texting and not making a big deal. But what if they kids are listening to inappropriate music. Or if the text is to help another student taking a test. Who is liable then?
Anthony,
You’ve raised a good question about security and texting. As for inappropriate music, I leave the choice up to the students as long as they have ear phones on so only they can hear it.
As a teacher and an administrator I have to weigh both sides of the issue. I understand having to choose which battles to fight, but what about the importance of school staff unity when it comes to enforcing school rules? On a campus with an at-risk youth population, I find that consistency and structure is very important at my school. If a teacher allows texting or listening to music, it creates a challenge for other teachers who try to enforce the school rule of “No electronic devices in classrooms.” When a student faces discipline, the teacher is challenged with the inevitable “But so-and-so lets us do it.” Any suggestions?
LaurieAnne,
Yes, consistency is important. I think the rule should be that electronic devises are allowed in class for those students who want to use them. I include that in the IEPs I write. Not all students will want to use them.
My experience in the classroom with my academically at-risk high school students is that electronic devises are valuable tools that enable my students to do their best. They tell me that as do the students who email me after reading the articles I’ve written in support of listening to music in class. I’ve had more positive feedback from students of all ages about the benefits of listening to music while doing assignments. In fact just today one of my students who has ADHD told me he found that listening to music really helps him focus.
I’ve written extensively about music in the classroom and the research that supports it. I’m sold on letting kids listen to music if they want to while they work on assignments but not while I’m teaching or during class discussions.
Cell phones are another tool I like my students to use. I have students use the camera feature on their cell phones to create videos of what they are doing in class and share with their classmates. Of course there have to be guidelines for appropriate use. We set those guidelines collaboratively just like other classroom “rules”. It’s not a problem.
I can honestly say that these electronic devices and the class blog have made all the difference in the quality and quantity of work my reluctant/struggling students produce.
My point is that the devices have the potential to be valuable tools. We just have to start thinking about them in a different way.
I’m reconsidering my text messaging policy in light of a poll I came across. Read about it here. http://tinyurl.com/nqwowy
this is a great story. if only our teachers would be like this.
i recently got my phone taken away for having it on in class. i wasnt using it, i just dont trust the lockers since every year of being at logan jr high i have had something taken right out of my locker. I was not a happy camper. but i do know alot of students that text during class when the teachers arent looking. I find this unfair. i do wish that i could have you as a teacher. U ROC MY SOX!!!
HopeElizabeth,
Some students are starting to use the phones to cheat in class on quizzes, tests, exams. They are texting anwers, taking pictures of the exams. Phones are turning into nightmares. It’s too bad that a few a ruining it for the many. It’s become a real problem.
ya I text when I’m in class its not a big deal. I mean I was in the hall doing something with my group. Then someone in my group went to the teacher and told on me and i didn’t do anything
personally , i think cellphones should be able to be used when the teacher isnt talking , they arent trying to answer a question , in other words during a study hall set up … it shouldnt be that anytime teachers SEE a cellphone , thats an automatic invitation to take someones cellphone . that isnt right that they can take phones away that dont belong to them . teachers are rediculous for taking phones away .. so if they break it , do they pay for it? because it was in their posession ? hmmm . id make em pay out the butt for my phone if they broke it … in the same token i have a teacher here at my school who will jump right on my case the second they see me take it out to check the time , to send a quick message in between classes , or right before class . i actually had a teacher (WHOM I DONT EVEN HAVE) saw me take my phone back from a friend borrowing it and she approached me asking if it was a phone . i replied yes . and she said give it back , i said its mine. she insisted i give it back , i didnt listen and i just walked to my next class . little did i know she was right behind me following me to my next class all to tell my next teacher to take my phone away … REDICULOUS!! some teachers go clear overboard with this stuff. just recently last thursday . i cussed her out majorly bad . she pissed me off at the wrong time on the wrong day
Absolutely Not. Phones can be used to take pictures of tests, cheat, etc. etc. If you crack down hard at the beginning and make an example out of those that refuse to abide by a policy (the same types of policies they will have at work one day). Part of our problem as teachers and the reason students act up is the many concessions given. There was a time when phones would be taken, ISS given if not a paddling.