Dr. Burnham's You'd Have to be a Dumbass to Use an Electronic Device in Class Policy--Explained
Policy as listed on syllabus: "Cell phones and other electronic devices must turned off or put on silent mode in class. Cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off during exams. I have a no tolerance policy for texting and use of these devices in class. If I catch you texting or using an electronic device in class, I will deduct 1% from your final course grade and place your name on the Inattention Wall of 'Fame' There is no exception to this policy. If you think you deserve a warning...this is it!"
Dr. Burnham's response: It sound's harsh, and it's supposed to. Texting in class is just plain rude to your professor and rude to the other students who suffer through your tap-tap-tapping, and I do have students who complain to me when they see/hear someone texting in class and I did not. Plus, if you're texting then you're not paying attention to whatever is going on in class, which means you're missing something important.
I know, I know; students' responses generally are something along the line of "Oh, I can pay attention to you and be texting at the same time." Well genius, let me say this: I study human attention, and you are wrong. It is much more difficult to pay attention to two things simultaneously compared to one thing (it makes sense); and I have data to support my statement, you do not. Plus, if you are texting, you'll miss out on my cynicism and sarcasm!
Why is texting or using an electronic device so rude? The main reason is that I work my butt off to bring you a wealth of information and prepare lectures that should educate and also sometimes entertain. If you are texting in class and not paying attention, then you are not respecting my efforts to educate you and you are not respecting me personally, and you are wasting your time and my time. I am up in front of class trying to provide the highest quality education and get students to critically think about a topic and a 'texting student' is not giving a shit. I know it is not the whole class that is texting, but it is still frustrating and disrespectful nonetheless. So don't do it.
Also, here is a quick comparison between grades of students I have seen or caught text messaging in class vs. students I have not caught (each mean is based on 10 randomly selected students from each group from random classes):
Caught: 2.45 (About a B- or a C+)
Not Caught: 3.56 (About a B+ or an A-)
Hence, students that I have seen and/or caught text messaging are associated with lower grades. Just some simple data; and, admittedly, there alternative explanations.
OK, so you know how I feel about cell phones and texting in class; why the harsh policy. My original cell phone policy was simply "turn them off," but over time, the policy became harsher and harsher as more and more students owned them and text messaged with them. Indeed, I have tried many things to stop texting in class: Talking to a student after class, emailing a student I saw texting during class, confiscating a cell phone or ipod, asking a student to stop texting during class, etc. Alas, nothing polite seems to work. So, I am implementing this new "sledgehammer approach" to dealing with texting, using cell phones, using iPods/mp3s during class, etc. It is my hope that students will take their education more seriously and pay attention during class.
Indeed, if you cannot wait to send a text message for a 50-75 minute class to end, then (a) you have a problem--it's called addiction--, (b) you need to talk to people more, (c) you're lame, (d) you're a dumbass, (e) you need a hobby, (f) perhaps college is not right for you, and (g) perhaps you should just skip class--I would rather not have you in it if you are going to be disrespectful.
Now, in the case where you are expecting an important message or call (these things can happen); then just leave the room for a few minutes to go and send your message or make your call. I would rather you acted politely and respected me than acted like an asshole.
Cheers!
-Dr Burnham
(5/19/2009)
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