Soliciting Opinions

[rosaw]

Today a student in my Hist. of Xnty class played video games on her computer for the entire class. The students were supposed to be working out the historical context and theology in a primary source text in their groups, but she wasn't participating, she was playing her game. And I know it. And, at one point, she knew I knew it.

I ignored her. I congratulated the students who were putting effort into the exercise and continued to interact with them about the assignment. Even when she looked at me I didn't look at her directly again. I did not confront her nor did I acknowledge her. Two students mentioned to me after class that she was playing a game on her computer. I said, yeah, I know. Next time I'll put her in a smaller group and force her to work. But they weren't very satisfied with that and now, in hindsight, neither am I. It not only pisses me off, it sucks away my will to live and teach another day.

But I don't know what I should have done. I hate the public humiliation model of correcting student behavior and so that's right out. I'm thinking of pulling her aside next class and telling her to use her computer to take notes or leave it in her room, but that seems weak at this point. I pride myself on being an easy-going teacher, running a relaxed and inviting classroom and yet this is not only about disrespecting me, it's about disrespecting her colleagues in the class as well. What are your thoughts, dear flist? What did your profs do when someone was quietly screwing around during class?

Comments

What would I do???

[postholedigger.livejournal.com]

Private humiliation. Actually, I would invite her to stay after class and ask her to consider dropping the class so that she no longer wastes your time, her colleagues' time and, last and most certainly least, her own. Darling, you really must learn the fine art of ripping someone a new butthole with a smile on your face. Being a kinder, gentler professor than your advisrr, is not necessarily a good thing every day.
Not for nothing do they call me the Queen of Darkness.
I'm serious, though, you need to let her understand that her actions are not tolerated and she has the choice of participation or absence, but she cannot continue as she was.
Lainie

[destina.livejournal.com]

I teach college age and adult students on a regular basis in a classroom setting, and my method goes something like this:

Me (walking over to student X and turning my back to the others, looking directly in their eyes): Put the game/paper/book/iPod/computer away.

Student: Oh. Okay.

If the game comes out again, or if they stop paying attention and go back to what they were doing, I front them off immediately in class, in public. I also have consequences that range from sending them from class to an immediate zero on the project (I grade for class participation). If the game stays put, I have a few words with them after class and mention the issues of disrespect, etc.

A blind eye is interpreted as weakness and permission, and diminishes both your authority and your relevance as a teacher in the eyes of your other students. After all, if student x gets a free pass, why should the others do the work?

Direct, polite and immediate confrontation works for me. It's not public humiliation; it's a simple lesson in respect. :-)

[cereta.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll be honest and say that I frequently use the public humiliation model for things like this. I try to do it with humor for at least the first couple of offenses, but I figure it drives the point home that what they are doing is disrespectful to me and to the class.

That said, I have specific policy in my syllabus that addresses this:

Classroom time is to be used for classroom activities. If you finish your work early, I will not object to you checking your email or looking at web sites; however, I expect you to return to class work when directed.

However, at no point should either a chat program or a game be opened during class time, even if you are finished with your activity. The first time I see a chat program or a game open on your computer during class time, you will receive a warning. The second time, you will be asked to leave the classroom and be assessed an absence for the day.

I explain that games and chat are uniquely difficult to get people off of when class activities resume, and that the clickety-clacking distracts me and others. I also explain that I put this policy in when a young man whom I had politely asked to close a game responded, "After I make this shot." Um...yeah.

If you're not comfortable confronting her in class, talk to her provately, but make it clear what the repurcussions will be if she does it again.

Oh honey...

[sherrold.livejournal.com]

If you're anything like me, you've spent the entire afternoon thinking of things you wish you'd thought of then, and making yourself crazy.

All I can say is I've been there (in the general sense, of course) a horrifying number of times, and I wish I could fix it.

Tonight?
S--