Is texting in class an unclassy act?
Lee Biermeyer
Issue date: 1/2/10 Section: Campus News
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NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- While Pennsylvania lawmakers are busy wrestling with proposed legislation that would ban texting while driving, texting has become a primary communication for many young people. Lawmakers may focus attention on texting and public safety, but what about reading and sending texts in other settings? Is it okay to text in class?
At Westminster College, there are no formal rules on cell phones and texting in classes. Some instructors address text messaging in their syllabi.
Political Science Associate Professor and Department Chair Ed Cohen's PS 102 syllabus for American Government says cell phones should never ring in class. Cohen's policy also states that he will not put up with texting.
"Texting in class will not be tolerated," Cohen posted in the Spring 2010 PS 102 syllabus. "If I do find someone texting (writing OR reading texts, OR surfing the web, etc.) during class time, I reserve the right to collect all phones before subsequent classes and returning them to you at the end of class. Any other approach is disrespectful to your colleagues and your instructor."
Sociology Assistant Professor Danielle M. Ficco also addresses cell phones and texting in her Family Violence class syllabus.
"Please turn off your cell phones during class," Ficco wrote in her Sociology 410 syllabus. "No texting, please!"
WCN's Lee Biermeyer shares his video coverage of the issue of texting in class. He talks with students, faculty and administrators.
Many students will admit off camera that they are engaged in text messaging during classes. Others say it happens all the time and they characterize it as rude behavior. Many instructors say texting interrupts class and distracts the learning process.
Walk around the Tub and you can quickly see students typing away at their cell phone keys. Westminster administrators say they recognize the significance of texting for students communication tool. However, they also understand how it can be a distraction in classroom, so they are encouraging all faculty to address the issue in the class syllabus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
aquatix
posted 1/30/10 @ 12:31 AM EST
Silent texting should not be a distraction. The instructors should look at these children as adults and not care if their grade dwindels. I personally do not text during class because I feel it is disrespectful to the instructor. (Continued…)
ramentasteawesome
posted 1/30/10 @ 4:08 PM EST
shewing gum is also distraction CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP
TheInfamousSpongee
posted 2/01/10 @ 9:48 AM EST
I do not text in class because I feel it is extremely disrespectful to professors and/or other speakers that may be presenting during a scheduled class period. (Continued…)
TacoNight Pringles
posted 2/02/10 @ 12:57 AM EST
We are all adults and a teacher should not be allowed to confiscate anyone's phone or deduct points. Yes, there are some people who need to take a course on texting etiquette, but the bottom line is we are paying to be here and be in those classes. (Continued…)
Text Away!
posted 2/04/10 @ 5:15 PM EST
I agree 100% with TacoNight Pringles.. we are adults now and are paying some $36,000 a year to go here! Texting does not happen every second of the class and if something comes up that cannot wait until after class texting is the way to fix that problem without worrying about phone calls. (Continued…)
Our Tuition Is A RIP OFF
posted 3/03/10 @ 11:49 PM EST
I completely agree with the comments above. It's bad enough we pay upwards of $35K to go to this school and have to deal with constant inadequacies in technology, over priced food, public safety locking us out of necessary study areas early in the night of a college student, etc. (Continued…)
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