Managing Student Technology in the Classroom

Just as most students have become accustomed to having their cell phones off during class, a new twist has been thrown into the issue, with the campus-wide adoption of an emergency alert system that sends a message to student, faculty and staff cell phones in case of emergency. What does this mean to those teachers who don't want student cell phones on during class or out during an exam? Furthermore, how to we face the need for such an emergency alert system, without creating a culture of fear, counterproductive to the teaching and learning process?

If cell phones have been an issue in your classroom, you'll probably want to address this issue on the first day of class. Perhaps the easiest thing to do is stick with the cell phone policy you have established, but either appoint one student to leave their cell phone on during class, or reassure the students that you will have your cell phone on. Dealing with the issue in a matter of fact way and then moving on is a good way to convince students you take safety seriously, but want to focus on teaching and learning

Laptops in the classroom are another potential distracter that faculty may need to address. Since the Saint Louis University campus went wireless, more and more students are showing up in class with a laptop. While the vast majority of students are using their laptops productively in class, there are always those temptations to check e-mail, play games and surf the web.

We asked two faculty members, one who teaches mainly large classes and one who teaches small classes how they address the laptop issue. Shawn Nordell, Assistant Professor of Biology, who typically teaches large classes, explains that "I have adopted the ok to use but please use them on the sides or back of the classroom only. This minimizes disruptions and I have a long clause about no surfing the web and that if you do we can request that you not use them. They must be off and put away during any in class quizzes or assignments. I did this in my animal behavior class this semester and did not get any complaints."

Robert Cole, an instructor in the Educational Studies Department, teaches small instructional technology courses. He points out that while it may seem that students are abusing their laptops during class, that research conducted at Dartmouth College indicates after the novelty of constant access wears off, students rapidly tune back into the class. Since many high schools now have laptop programs, (CBC, Nerinx, and Desmet are examples.) perhaps we'll soon begin seeing freshmen coming to campus having already moved through the novelty phase.

Cole also states that "..if students are the multitaskers that Prensky and Strauss and Howe (Ed Note: see last month's newletter.) believe they are, then being able to access information during a lecture that is pertinent to the topic may be useful for them." This sort of technique is very much in keeping with Nordell's very active teaching style. She makes a point of walking around her classroom, even in an auditorium, and involving students in discussion and activities. She also says that "...students must take fairly substantial notes which I find is the best way to keep students involved in the class."

How are you dealing with the issue of student technology in your classroom? We'd love to hear from you. Join a conversation on this issue through We invite you to join us in a conversation on the topic through the CTE Learning Technology Wiki. Just follow this link-http://slucte.jottit.com/-then click on the edit button in the lower right hand area, and start typing!

::Learn More

In an upcoming issue we'll explore ways to engage students with laptops in the classroom. Here are a few resources to get your started.

A thoughtful argument against banning Laptops in the Classroom

Enhancing Learning with Laptops in the Classroom from Tomorrow's Professor

Teaching with Laptops in the Classroom. From Pace University

To learn more about any of the techniques discussed in the article or schedule a customized seminar for your department, contact Sandy Gambill at gambill@slu.edu or 977-7202.

Did someone forward this copy of Learning Technologies to you or are you reading it through the Reinert CTE's website? Contact Sandy Gambill at gambill@slu.edu to ensure monthly delivery directly to your own e-mail account.

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