The grade should reflect more than just academic achievement, Louis. It should also reflect the student's behavior in the classroom. If, for example, you had a student who was disruptive would you feel that behavior did not justify a reduction in participation credit? A cell phone can be just as disruptive to a class. In the same light, would you give the same grade to a student who, despite instructions not to do so, kept an open text book on his or her desk during a closed book exam? Or would you reduce that grade as well?
A cell phone has its proper place--but that place is not the classroom. Applying clearly stated sanctions if a student deliberately violates the classroom policies set forth in a syllabus isn't unethical--it's totally appropriate behavior and contributes to the learning taking place by the class as a whole. Rick -- Rick Adams Capella University, Graduate School of Technology Grand Canyon University, School of Social Sciences. Jackson Community College, Department of Social Sciences [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible" -----Original Message----- From: louis schmier [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 4:11 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: reducing cell phone disruptions in the classroom My point is that you cannot prohibit the physical presence of cell phones in the classroom. In any event, if you're going to threaten the student with a grade reduction and reduce it if one goes off, so much for the grade as a proper reflection of academic achievement. --Louis-- Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com Department of History www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ (229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__/\ \/\ / \/ \___\/ / \/ /\/ /\ //\/\/ /\ \__/_/_/\_\___\_/__\ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
