<p>Regardless of what you think of texting in class for any reason, how is it comparable to smoking in a lecture hall? When I texted I was in the very back with only friends near me and my phone was on silent so I don’t see how that affected the people who were in front of me more than flipping notebook pages or typing on a computer. I just honestly don’t understand the comparison and I truly would like to. Personally I think it’s worse when people kick the back of your chair which happens pretty often</p>
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<p>At last an answer to the OP’s thread-heading question!! :)</p>
<p>And this talk of sexy spandex is making me nostalgic for the Jump! video…think I’ll check Youtube-while I’m driving, of course.</p>
<p>Wow! It used to be only the rich who could waste time in college with their 23 skidoos and raccoon coats, but now it’s everyone. Now that’s progress!</p>
<p>I am a college professor, and here’s my problem. When there was just stone and stylus my students used to pay attention. Now that pencil and paper have been invented all they do is doodle!</p>
<p>However, it is true. Smart phones are addictive. I ask my students to leave class for a moment to text or reive a call, and they do. No problem we have an agreement. If they don’t silence their phones and they ring, if I like their ringtone, they have to play it again.</p>
<p>And I do tell them that when they email me, it’s not appropriate to write, “hey, wassup?”</p>
<p>When I sat in on some classes, the profs asked that all such devices be turned off. No phones allowed during class. Any exception like if you have a loved one in the hospital or some precarious situation, you ask for special permission. </p>
<p>There were no problems when I was there.</p>
<p>At my son’s high school, phones have to be turned off. Not on vibrate, but off. Too bad if you want to use it to keep track of time or whatever. Not allowed and that is a rule made right up front.</p>
<p>Should we blame the OP’s parents for his deficiencies? Back in my day a classmate staved off boredom in medical school basic science lectures by doing cross stitching. GT coordinator in son’s school district told gifted kids it was fine to doodle. Some students need to stave off boredom- currently with electronics. Some are just goofing off, others already know the material presented. I must admit some of us Honors Chemistry majors hated a required chemistry class as juniors so much we goofed off. I used to take books to CME (continuing medical education) lectures to get through them- such a slow pace.</p>
<p>OP- mind your own business and ignore those who don’t think/act like you. I personally do not consider it disrespectful for students to not pay attention to any less than riveting lecture. You have to earn respect, not automatically get it because you give lectures.</p>
<p>There is plenty wrong, and right, with my son. He’s normal albeit gifted. Iowa State is a much better school than many other public U’s, btw. Howcum you are finally doing engineering? Why couldn’t you do it instead of business earlier? Howcum you aren’t a parent yet. Etc. Final thought- glass houses.</p>
<p>I must say, it really is difficult to teach into an environment in which students aren’t pay attention. We might be tempted to say it’s the fault of professors for having “less than riveting lectures”, but sometimes it’s just habit on the part of students.</p>
<p>I ask them to refrain from these activities and honestly tell them it makes me lose my mojo if I look out and people are not with me. Students seem genuinely sympathetic to this.</p>
<p>I think students need to be educated about proper decorum for college just like, in my discipline, they need to learn what a thesis sentence it. I think it serves them to stretch their attention spans and focus.</p>
<p>Then my only problem would be how to stay of my Iphone while they’re doing in class writing! :)</p>
<p>Op,
You are right. I totally F%#KED my kids up. They weren’t allowed to have a game console until they were 5, a cell phone until 13, internet access on their cell phones until they were 16. And yet, they are still addicted to the internet.</p>
<p>Good thing I have CC to turn to to escape my realities!!</p>
<p>I really do agree that the games and Facebook are irritating but its a lot more noticeable on laptops. My teacher pointed out that just moving around a lot in you seat can distract the lecturer which I never thought about but makes perfect sense</p>
<p>I recall on my university days not being totally enamored or immersed (graduated in 1985) and I turned out to be a highly contributing member of society… So OOP, Chillax and revisit us in a few years… Your opinion may change. After 30+ Years, mine certainly has…it is called experience and maturity.</p>
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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>
<p>“Regardless of what you think of texting in class for any reason, how is it comparable to smoking in a lecture hall?”</p>
<p>It is comparable in the sense that the user/smoker is being selfish: Don’t I have the right to smoke? You do, but not in public places where it can affect the health of other people. Don’t I have the right to use my laptop/phone? You do, but not in the middle of a classroom lecture where it can disrupt other people.</p>
<p>bschoolwiz</p>
<p>… chill out. We are trying to fix the mess that your generation put us in. Give us youngins some credit (or at least some sympathy for how you have stacked all the cards against us)</p>
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<p>Unless the OP is in his late 40s or older, he’s probably in the same generation as I am(Gen X (Born 1965-late '70s). </p>
<p>If that’s the case, you’re barking up the wrong tree regarding generation blaming. Gen Xers as a group don’t have the numbers nor the financial wherewithal to wield that much financial and other forms of clout in the greater scheme of things.</p>
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<p>Well, engineering jobs in the US pay a lot more than PhD student stipends. That probably has something to do with it, especially if the American engineering BS students are graduating with student loans that they need to pay off.</p>
<p>On the other hand, entering a PhD program is a way for an international student to attend a US university on a full ride, unlike the case of international students doing undergraduate work in the US where they typically have to pay list price.</p>
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<p>In class only, or all the time on school grounds?</p>
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<p>Congratulations, you have just identified the students who will become part of the attrition statistics.</p>
<p>But don’t worry about them. Just focus on your own progress to your engineering degree.</p>
<p>They may also become CEO’s and presidents if they attend elite schools. Stranger things have happened.</p>
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<p>It happens with non-elite schools too. I can think of two billionaires off the top of my head that dropped out of non-elite colleges.</p>
<p>OP might have been beter off posting the OP in the “say it here” vent thread. Thats where it belongs. Its a bit over the top in arrogantly attacking students, IMO. This:
is going to push people’s buttons.</p>