FemaleScienceProfessor recently blogged about name preferences. In the comment thread, a new discussion came about from Scientista's comment. Here's an excerpt:
"One of my profs, let's call him B, said something really inappropriate in class the other day that made me think of this blog. I was responding to an email on my Blackberry (in fact writing to another prof) during his lecture, and he comes next to me as he handing out a reading assignment and says "What, you're writing to your girlfriends to tell them how attractive the shirt I'm wearing today is?". I found that really rude: what, because I am a girl, the only subject of my emails can be boys, and in particular, him? "
I won't post the back-and-forth that ensued (but really, go read it!! Starts at 1/12 08:42 pm), and I also won't post my initial reaction (contains language that even I won't post here).
Scientista's comment did get me thinking about cell phones in the classroom. I don't want to hear a ringtone during lecture. Trust me: if I could sell them on eBay, I would. During exams, they must be completely off and stowed in a backpack; if I see them on their person, it is my prerogative to report them to the honor board (per my syllabus and the honor statement on the front of the exam). So far, my students have complied with minimal incident.
My colleagues often express surprise that I write in a no cell phone clause into my syllabus. How could I be that particular? BUT....they tell me of frequent Blackberry use in their classrooms, and that the students feel entitled (yes, they have actually said that to a prof, with attitude, too; I know...I thought the same thing: AW HELL NAW) to use them when they are bored (no, seriously, go read the thread!!)
Give me a break. Cell phone usage, just like ANY unrelated task (knitting, suduko, other homework) is not only rude to the prof but also distracting to other students. (And for any of you offenders out there: YES. It *is* distracting to other students, and YES I can track eyeballs from my vantage point in the, um, front of the class.)
So students, by all means, turn off your cell phones and fully pay attention. Who knows, you might learn something.
Faculty members, by all means, put your foot down! You should not tolerate such rudeness in your class.
