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Letters to the editor of the New Haven Register, New Haven, Connecticut, http://nhregister.com. Email to letters@nhregister.com.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

A college professor objects to smart phone use in classroom

This is a follow-up letter related to students’ smart phone use during class time in higher education from a professor’s perspective and recommendations.
Today’s college students are easily distracted from learning in the classroom because of their regular need to be connected to others and the world around them. Students' need to keep in touch with friends using smart phones during class time hinders the learning experience. Some students text one another, visit social sites and surf the web during class time. Contact may also occur during examinations. The elimination of this temptation is paramount.
Recently, full-time and part-time professors at a mid-sized public university in New England were asked the following questions related to students’ smart phone use during class time:
First, do students use smart phones during class time to text, email, visit social sites, and so forth?
Second, do students leave the classroom during class time to take calls?
Third, do students use smart phones during class time to enhance the learning process?
Fourth, are students informed regarding the professor’s policy regarding the use of smartphones during class time verbally and or in writing (i.e., if he or she has a policy)?
Finally, do professors think the university should develop a campus-wide policy regarding students’ use of smartphones during class time?
Professors’ responses were clear regarding these questions.
First, students use smart phones during class time to text, email and visit social sites.
Second, students do leave the classroom to take calls, however, this was uncommon.
Third, the majority of professors stated students do not use smart phones during class time to enhance the learning process. However, several professors agreed that students do use smart phones to enhance the learning process.
Fourth, professors do inform students verbally and in writing of their policies regarding the use of smart phones in the classroom during class time.
Finally, the majority professors stated developing a campus-wide policy regarding students’ use of smart phones during class time would benefit students and professors. Professors provided descriptions of their individual policies regarding students’ use of smart phones during class time. Professors’ policies varied greatly. This may be one reason why students ignore the professors’ policies and continue to use their phones during class time.
The professors’ recommendations for a campus-wide policy include provisions for students to use phones for educational purposes and personal emergencies. However, texting friends, surfing the Web, and visiting social sites during class time would result in reprimands. Administrators should take the professors’ recommendations seriously. A campus-wide policy shows students that the school takes the use of smart phones during class time seriously and gives strength to the policy.
Kevin Synnott
Hampton
Department of Business Administration
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic

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