Something in the Exercising Teacher Power Responsibility chapter (Ch.18) got me thinking about me in the class that I teach. The paragraph on Consistently Fair (pg. 245) striked me as something that I don’t do. It only rings through as blaringly obvious because I can feel that other students see it too. Whether it’s allowing students to be late and not commenting on it (while others I will) or student phone use, I am not consistent. I will try to explain why I feel I act “unfair” to begin with so you can see my train of thought. Let’s take phone use. Some students come into my course addicted to their phones. Other students come in and are able to put away their phones if they need to. Those students won’t be on it on a job site if it’s not allowed, they can turn it off for a movie in their spare time etc. Some students understand responsible use of their phones, where another group absolutely doesn’t. On job sites they might be whipping their phones out with some sort of an excuse all the time, even when told to never have it out. During lectures from special guests they will be looking down at their phones, and it’s obvious they aren’t paying attention (#disrespectful). So even when I tell the students there is zero phone use in class, I actually don’t mean that. What I really mean is, “if you can prove that you are responsible with your phone, then feel free to use it. But if you are not responsible with your phone, you do not get that privilege.” They way the unfairness is perceived by students is them wondering why such and such is using their phone and it’s ok. Or why others didn’t get in trouble for being late. Reflecting on this it totally makes sense. But I really am still not a stickler about no phone. I am totally fine with it, if used properly. My class is in very different stages of intellect. Some students blow through an assignment in 5 minutes, while others spend 25 minutes resetting their passwords and logging on (most days of the week). So there is plenty of downtime in my class for some students. This is why a bit of phone here and there is fine for me. Sure I could give others more work, but is that entirely fair either? This gives me very good reflection though. Next time I begin class I will talk about exactly these facts. The difference between responsible phone use and irrespossible. When is an ok time to check your phone, or an even better time to check your phone. Why it matters what others perceive when on our phones or pondering why they are feeling the need to always be on their phones. I think the biggest take away will also be that I believe they are in college now, and they are responsible adults. If they can prove they are responsible with it’s use, it is fine to use it here and there. This is not scrolling for 20 minutes in class, but this is a flexibility of the absolutely no phone rule to perhaps check their personal email etc. I am excited to try this new system out as I have been debating just this in my mind for a long time. How to implement a rule I don’t care too much about, except when it’s taken advantage of.

 

 

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