TeachingEnglish
Ringing Cell-Phones of Students - How do you deal with them?
Submitted by jessica77 on 13 April, 2010 - 17:49
The invasion of cellphones in classrooms is by far the most annoying thing for me. While I am trying to get the attention of students on a topic... every now and then a cellphone goes off and destroys the ambiance of the entire class. Even though cellphones are not allowed inside the class 'officially', most students still carry it and keep the volume to zero. But, sometimes a student will forget to mute the volume before coming to the school and it rings in the middle of my lecture (Phone call, Text Message Alert, Twitter Alert etc..).
How do you deal with this? I have heard that students even get caught sending text messages to friends from classrooms .. luckily that hasn't happend to me. Thoughts .. Ideas ?
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TE Team
You could surprise your students by getting out your phone in class and tell them about its features, its ring tone, what you like and dislike about it and what kind of phone you'd buy if you were getting a new one. Then have them do the same with their phones in small groups. Anyone who doesn't have a phone could say which phone they would like to have or talk about their reasons for not having one. This would be a nice lead in to a lesson on mobile phones: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/try/lesson-plans/mobile-phones
I usually remind my students to switch off their phones as they come into the classroom. Anyone who really needs to stay switched on has to tell me at the start of the lesson. This doesn't completely cut out the sending of sneaky text messages etc in class but it helps.
Teaching business people as I do makes it very difficult to outlaw cell phones in class. They just wouldn't come if they couldn't stay in touch. But I'm lucky that most of those I teach understand it really is for emergencies only. But there are lighter sides to cell phones.
One student came to class a few months ago put his cell phone on the table next to him, something he had never done before. When he saw me eyeing it, he said, I'm expecting a very important phone call. I acquiesced. About ten minutes before the end of the class, the call actually came. He snapped it up, listened briefly and replied: "I'll be there in ten minutes."
Getting up he apologised for having to leave. "My wife's just gone into labour."
Since you are dealing with a mature crowd, you need to put your point assertively, stating that a phone call totally destroys the momentum and concentration of the whole class. Tell them very strongly, that we have all gathered here for a common purpose or objective. They can inform their contact group members, not to disturb them during the class hours. Make it a point to tell the whole class to switch off their cell phones, before you start the session. Make this a ritual.
If you still find someone insisting that they are expecting an important call, express your displeasure then and there. Tell them that we need to maintain a decorum.
Thanks all for your opinion. I feel students should not be allowed to carry cell phones inside the class. If a student is indeed expecting an important phonecall, he should take permission from the teacher to carry phone in the class and keep it only in vibrate mode.
I feel with the growing popularity of Smart Phones (like iPhones etc) which have a 24 hr. web connectivity. This problem will get worse.
First of all, it has happened to everyone. It's another question whether you noticed them or not. My classroom has very strict rules and my students know that there will be consequences if they break the rules. Prevention is always the best way to take care of possible issues. The only way to get rid of this behaviour using reactive measures is by enforcing some kind of punishment once the problem occurs. Cell phones are so popular among students of any age that it's simply impossible for you not to face them in the classroom.
An integral aspect of classroom management is to set rules from the beginning, uphold them no matter what and yes... punish the first and second and third offender so they know that this disrespectful behavior is not allowed; especially with adults who feel that it's no big deal and next thing you know you have a circus in your hands. The form of punishment is up to u, the age of your students, how serious the disruption was and the attitude of the offender...and for God's sake don't ever forget your cell on otherwise you'll never hear the end of it!
Even though your school policies may not allow carrying cell phones in class, I agree it is very difficult to enforce. I have personally experienced this. Once of the ways to do is to temporarily confescate the cellphone for 1 day. That is take the cell phone from the student and keep it with you, then return it the following day. If a student repeats this over and over again, tell them to call their parents and hand over the cellphone after explaining the situation. Hey, you sometimes have to be strict.
I have posted a sign first as a reminder. But it became forgotten and then I would remind students verbally. Eventually, it became a penalty game where students have to donate some coins in a piggy bank if their cell phone rings. The accumulated earnings in the piggy bank is up to a few dollar nows, but am not sure what to do with it yet.
Ringing mobile phones are really annoying and mean a lack of respect towards the teacher and the other students.
I put up signs on the walls and doors of the school stating that mobiles were forbidden, but that didn't have a lasting effect.
We have completely forbidden its use by teenagers. If they don't obey, mobiles are confiscated until the end of the class and parents are informed. Teenagers need rules.
As far as adults are concerned, I've seen very impolite students, and I do warn them that only special cases will be tolerated, such as medical doctors, or others. 'If it rings, please leave the classroom straightaway'.
Sometimes I'm more tolerant, especially in one-to-one classes, although I do let them know that it's bad for their learning, and it's a lack of respect. Yes, adults need rules too.
I completely agree with you Konrad, some teenagers just do not listen to the teachers and should be handled a bit more strictly. Rincing celphones are a total nuisance in class.