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<p>The Prof/instructor already earned some presumed respect by virtue of earning the right to give that lecture in a college class in the first place whether due to having a graduate-level degree and/or industry experience. He/she’s at least due that presumed respect at the beginning of the semester. </p>
<p>Granted, it’s respect Profs can lose if they act disrespectfully towards students…and giving dry non-entertaining lectures is not it. </p>
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<p>Nothing wrong with staving off boredom. Just do it in a way that doesn’t distract others in the class and draws negative attention to yourself. </p>
<p>As a student in classes with some laptop/cell phone users and someone who has lectured college classes…electronics tends to be highly distracting and draws negative attention to the user. </p>
<p>Unless there are legitimate work or family emergency reasons, cell phones should be completely shut off. Any non-work/family emergency calls/texts can wait until the end of the lecture. I also understand if a Prof feels the need to institute a laptop ban…despite being someone who prefers taking notes on laptops. </p>
<p>The world won’t end if one is disconnected from the rest of the world for a 50 minute - 3 hour lecture. </p>
<p>Incidentally, this is good preparation for the real world as there are workplaces or certain offices where one’s ability to use a cell phone during work hours will be heavily restricted…whether for security/confidentiality concerns or because one’s cannot get cell access from their workspace due to locational constraints(i.e. You’re workspace is in a basement level where cellular signals cannot be accessed.).</p>