TEXTING
Would phone texting considered an effective communication tool between students and instructors?
Absolutely not, texting could cause the distraction of the class and the interruption of the dynamics of the lecture
Hi Michael,
I would not text students. This seems to be way too personal, however, I would utilize my school's email address to communicate professionally with students.
Patricia Scales
I believe that it depends on the circumstance. If the student is disabled and this is the best form , than yes. If the student is running late and is responsible and texts the instructor to notify them than yes.
Hi Elizabeth,
I see your point; so you handle texting on a case-by-case basis.
Patricia Scales
This is an interesting topic considering there are different atmospheres of instruction being given. I have instructors who can only communicate with certain students through text messaging, as the student won't respond any other way. This seems to work fine, however, there are other students who believe that once their instructor has used this method once, they can continue to use it when class is over, on a Sunday afternoon! If this method is going to be utilized in schools, seeing as this seems to be the way of the technological world, then there needs to be firm expectations and requirements for the students to have your number. I do not give my personal number out until the last day of class. This allows me to answer any questions a student may have when preparing to take a state board practical exam required to be licensed in our industry.
Texting is a disruption in class, even though it is a silent activity. The student is not paying attention to class activity. Students will also try to use texting during test to exchange or ask other students for answers. Phones should be out of site, out of mind. Used only at breaks.
Texting is a disruption in class, even though it is a silent activity. The student is not paying attention to class activity. Students will also try to use texting during test to exchange or ask other students for answers. Phones should be out of site, out of mind. Used only at breaks.
I do give out my cell number for texting so students can let me know if they will be late, absent, or if they have any questions. The beauty of a text is if it is not an appropriate time, I do not have to respond. I explain up front that it is my cell phone number and I set rules and boundaries for using it. Overall I have found they do not abuse it.
Hi Melissa,
I certainly agree with your respone. Generation Y will answer a text before any other form of communication. Perhaps, educational institutions should implement guidelines when texting is involved pertaining to students and instructors.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rose,
I concur! Cell phones can be a big hinderance to the classroom.
Patricia Scales
You have to be very careful with that type of interaction because it may cause a misunderstanding between student and instructor
I, too, believe that texting between instructor & student is inappropriate. As an laternative, email via the school's provided email address is more professional, still instant & keeps the instr.- student relationship proper. Additinally, emails can be saved for.....ever as a record should the ened arise to review communciation. Texts can be kept also, but are more difficult to store in an 'order'.
Hi Jessica,
I agree! A professional email address provided by the college is a much more professional way to communicate versus texting. Texting seems to be a little to personal. Emailing is a great way to provide an audit trail if the need arises.
Patricia Scales
I absolutely agree! It is totally disrupting not only during class hours but also in the clinical setting. Our school set the 'No cell phone policy" during lectures and clinical hours. Students can only use their cell phones during break time. The consequences will be a verbal warning for the 1st offense, then a written warning for the next time which will affect their performance evaluation. A student can be sent home from the clinical and be considered one absent day and will require clinical make up. The policy also include that in some cases, when a student is expecting an important call at a certain time during class/clinical hours, he/she must inform the instructor ahead of time before the class/ clinical starts. So far this policy is working effectively.
Hi Cecilia,
We have a similar policy at my institution, and it works beautifully. We have minimal issues with cell phones. On the first offense, our students are sent home, marked absent for that class, and missed assignments are marked zero.
Patricia Scales
Texting is not best way of communication between intructors and student. Student's have tendency to abuse it.
I am in college and my instructors feel the same way . Texting is an emergency use only and most comunication is thru school email...
Hi Ramilo,
I agree! It can be way too personal in nature as well.
Patricia Scales
Hi Allen,
Absolutely!!! School email is much more professional than texting. Texting is a little too personal.
Patricia Scales
