A guest speaker came to my class the other day. I was completely embarrassed by the behavior portrayed by my fellow classmates. I was embarrassed because throughout the one hour presentation I heard keyboards clicking away. I couldn’t even count how many times I saw a cell phone come out. This is unacceptable behavior at any age and in any situation.
It is time for the cell phones and computers to go away, unless those computers are typing lecture notes and nothing more. Teachers, I am asking you to end this. You as the leaders of the classroom are encouraging these students to continue this absurd behavior that is only going to hurt them in the end. Make it so horrible to get caught on Facebook that it will never happen in your class. Do random checks on students; have them show you their computers. It is just as big a distraction to those sitting around them as it is to the student who is doing it.
I once saw a teacher, at another establishment, give a student the option to destroy their cell phone in front of the class or take an “F” for the semester. I applaud this. Students have no idea how the real world works. Almost no job allows an employee to pull out their cell phone and “tweet” how bored they are during a meeting. If I saw one of my employees do this, it would be the last thing they did as my employee. Teachers, take the initiative to end this whether it bothers you or not. Start adjusting student grades after one warning. Without a strong stance from those in charge these students are only going to continue hurting themselves and those around them.