20Minute MentorMagna

Cell Phones, Laptopsand FaceBook…WhatCan I Do About Them?

Presented by:

W. Scott Lewis, JD

MAGNA

Presenter Bio:W. Scott Lewis, JD is a partner with the National Center for Higher Education RiskManagement (NCHERM). He recently served as the assistant vice provost for judicialaffairs and academic integrity at the University of South Carolina. He brings morethan 15 years of experience as a student affairs administrator, faculty member, andconsultant in higher education. He is a frequent keynote and plenary speaker, nation-ally recognized for his work on behavioral intervention for students in crisis and dis-tress. He is noted as well for his work in the area of classroom management. He pres-ents regularly throughout the country, assisting colleges and universities with legal,judicial, and risk management issues, as well as policy development and implementa-tion. He has served as a co-author and editor in a number of areas including legalissues in higher education, campus safety and student development, campus conductboard training, and other higher education issues. He is a member of NASPA, ACPA,CAI, serves on the Executive Board for SCCPA, and serves on the Board of Directorsfor ASJA. He did his undergraduate work in psychology and his graduate work inhigher education administration at Texas A&M University and received his law degreeand mediation training from the University of Houston. He has served as clinical andadjunct faculty, teaching in the colleges of education, political science, and business.

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Cell Phones, Laptops and FaceBook…What Can I Do About Them?

W. Scott Lewis, JDPartner, NCHERM (www.NCHERM.org) Assoc. General Counsel, Saint Mary’s College

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On the front lines….

While making our lives easier, technology has also provided a number of new challenges in the classroom – particularly in dealing with cell phones, laptops, and email/social networking sites.

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The Millennial Generation . . .

Generation Next, Next-ers, Generation Q…regardless of the labels placed on them, this group (born typically between 1984-2005) is on the leading edge of providing these challenges, but . . .

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They are not the only ones …

providing us with challenges in these areas. Luckily, the way we deal with Millennials is the same way we will deal with all students….

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Cell phones

Students are doing everything with their cell phones, including:– Texting in class– Filming/recording lectures– Cheating– Taking and making calls during class!– Calling or texting my home or cell in the

evening

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Laptops

Students are using their laptops in class to:– Take notes (loudly typing)– Check email, FaceBook, Ebay, etc. – IM each other– even within the same class!– Cheat– Record lectures

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Emails & Networking Sites

Students are:– “Friending” me on FaceBook/MySpace– Sharing personal information with me

about their lives, issues, etc.– Starting FaceBook groups about me or my

class

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First, an understanding

In order to handle these issues, you must understand some of the basis behind them.

This generation has some very unique characteristics that impact not only the way they deal with the outside world, but also have changed some of their norms and mores, and thus, the norms of those around them – the “Osmosis Effect.”

Some influences

• The structured aspect of their upbringing –the “child-centered” household

• Technology – cell phones, microwaves, the internet, e-access, 24 hour TV – has always been a part of their lives

• The child as consumer – not through their parent, but as a direct consumer

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Negative results

• Expectation of an immediate response• Belief that they are special, and should be

treated as such• The “Parent as Friend” phenomenon• The lack of understanding of previous

societal norms and mores• A lack of empathy, an increase in mental

health issues, and subsequent disproportionate reactions to stressors

Positive results

• An excellent sense of self confidence• An ability to work at all hours, integrating work

and personal life (could be a negative)• Technological expertise and curiosity• A desire to seek quick resolution• A willingness to challenge the status quo and

force us to rethink our teaching methodology

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After understanding…

It becomes easier to grasp why the techniques we will discuss are effective.

This does not mean you will not receive some resistance (“Push Back”) or will eradicate all issues, but this will make it easier.

So, lets return to our examples…

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Cell Phones

• Remember, the classroom is your domain! It is not necessarily a democracy or a free speech zone.

• Setting rules and specific consequencesearly is required!

• You must do what you say you are going to do! Be fair and consistent.

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It’s your decision

You decide when and where cell phones are permitted. The continuum:

No cell phones may be seen - - - to - - -

Cell phones are permitted, but must be off or on vibrate

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More importantly, you must:

– Put the rules in your syllabus – Be specific about the consequence: do not

leave it open for debate– Go over the rule and consequence orally in

class– Enforce the rules consistently and fairly

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But what if…

They say they have to have it for an important call?

Are afraid they may miss the college’s text message warning?

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Laptops

Like cell phones, you can establish the rules regarding laptop usage in class, from:

I prefer you use them - - - to - - -

No laptops allowed

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Campus policy note:

Your institution may have made a statement or expectation regarding this. You may need to follow their lead, but you still have a great deal of say in usage.

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More importantly, you must:

– Put the rules in your syllabus – Be specific about the consequence – do

not leave it open for debate– Go over the rule and consequence orally in

class– Enforce the rules consistently and fairly

Sound familiar?

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Recording lectures

If you do not want to be recorded:• Tell them! There are legitimate intellectual

property reasons to not allow this (in some states it is even illegal for them to do so after you say not to).

• There may be a Student Code of Conduct issue if they do as well.

• Check your institutional policies as well.

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What if a student “Friends” me on FaceBook?

– And then posts inappropriate material on my wall?

– Has inappropriate material on their site?– Uses it (or other means) to over-share

personal information with me about their lives, issues, etc.

– Starts a group about me that is unflattering!

The Pros and Cons to Being “Friends”

PROS

• Easy way to communicate with groups of students

• Get to know them better• Makes you feel more

“current”

CONS

• Easy way to communicate with groups of students…and for them with you

• Get to know them better...and they, you

• Get to know them better. Sometimes too much better. 23

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Boundary issues

What if a student:– Calls or Texts me at home or on my cell?

Especially at night?First question: Why do they have your

home/cell number?– The dilemma of “False Familiarity”– Your usage norms versus theirs

Some general pedagogical guidelines

Set your rules and expectations clearly in your syllabus AND go over them on the first day.

• Attendance• Punctuality• Food & Drink• What to call you• Debate in class

• Cell Phones• Laptops• Group Work• Academic Integrity

Issues25

Set your consequences specifically and clearly in your syllabus

and go over them on the first day:

• “For your third absence, there will be a penalty of no less than 2 points off your final grade. For your fourth….”

• “If your cell phone rings in class, you will be immediately dismissed from that class period and counted absent for the day.”

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Classroom Management

Why these work• Structure• Immediacy• Fair• Consistent• Known Expectations

The Push Back• The “Right to a

Phone/Laptop”• The “Cell-billical Cord”• Parents• Assumptions of Academic

Authority and Freedom• Inconsistent Application

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