Technology Use Policies for Classes
Personal Electronic Devices (PED) Policies for In-Person Classes
Feel free to use or share as desired
With the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and laptops (personal electronic devices or PED) managing technology use by students in class has become a challenge. Some instructors institute total bans while other choose to ignore it.
Over the years, students in my research method courses have used a variety of methods to examine technology use in the classroom and their findings are useful in developing a workable plan to manage the distractions technology can cause. Further, I have experimented with a variety of approaches and have found a few workable solutions.
There is also some concern of recording or use of instructor created content. Communication Studies faculty have agree upon language addressing these issues that is used in our syllabi.
First, not all technology use is distracting as students do use it for course related activities such as accessing slides or course content, checking the syllabus, or looking up contextualizing information online.
Second, students find inappropriate use of technology such as texting and web-surfing as annoying and distracting as instructors. Even those students who habitually inappropriately use technology find the behavior in others distracting! When asked, many students say while they would “hate it,” if put in change of creating a policy they would ban device use entirely.
The biggest issues for students are the absence of a policy or the failure of instructors to enforce one. The rule is consistency. If the rationale for rules is explained and makes sense to students then compliance is high.
Third, the primary reason reported for students’ non-class related use of PEDs is boredom. Monologic lectures or repetitive information (eg. lecturing out of the textbook) and lack of interactivity are the main motivators for non-class related use of PEDs. Moreover, student non-class related technology use is associated with poor satisfaction and performance in the course, although this might be related to in-class activities or other instructional design issues.
Finally, since any of these devices can also record, it is useful to establish ground rules for capturing information or class activities on PEDs. This also includes information on Canvas or other online platforms.
Strategies and Sample Policies
Research indicates that attention span and ability to process information decreases rapidly after 20 minutes in the same activity or mode. Limit any lecturing or similar information delivery to 15-20 minutes and then switch to discussion or some sort of activity.
For example, have students identify the most interesting or important (and why it is interesting or important) content from the previous 20 minutes. Or perhaps link the content to a personal experience. Let them know you may ask them.
Consider putting students in circle or semi-circle (if possible). This may seem like pain, but students respond positively to this configuration and lie being ale to see each other. It also eliminates blind spots and makes classroom management easier.
Sample Policy
This is sample policy I use for my hybrid classes. It can be modified as needed. It covers in class use, recording, instructor content, and online resources. This is partially wording developed by the faculty in Communication Studies.
Personal Electronic Devices
Often, you will use phones, tablets, and laptops in class to access assignments on Canvas and other course related activities. I allow responsible and on topic use of devices in class. This means refraining from reflexively checking email or texts, checking social media, surfing websites, or doing course work from other classes. Since we only meet physically for an hour and 15 minutes each week I expect your full attention and focus on class activities. If I find you cannot manage to responsibly use your tech in class you will be asked to surrender it or leave.
Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private study purposes only.
Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor-generated material for this course such as quiz questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent.
Your peers, just like yourself, have a reasonable expectation of privacy and that materials produced by students and discussions that take place online or in physical classroom are intended for the consumption of classmates and the instructor only. Please do not audio or video record, or forward discussion posts, assignments, or other student generated with the expressed permission of those involved.
Setting Copyright/Use
Canvas allows instructors to set copyright on each Canvas course. This is done under the Settings found in the navigation column on the left.
- Select Settings
- On Settings page select Edit Course Details at the bottom of the page
- Under License you will find a pull-down menu with several options for the level of protection.
Make sure to select Save.
Realistically, there is no way to restrict use of any online content if someone wishes to do so. Copyright is only as effective as your ability to enforce it. This is why Disney and other companies hire armies of lawyers. All you can do is set protections and if you find infringement send a cease-and-desist email. If unauthorized use continues, notify their service provider, they are obligated to take action on your behalf.