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Texting in classroom results in two-week phone ban
Published Thursday, September 11, 2008
Dean Monke
With cell phones considered more of a necessity than a luxury these days, schools around the country have re-vamped their policies to include regulations for cell phone use inside the classroom.
Fergus Falls Secondary School Principal Dean Monke said students are allowed to have phones in school, citing the importance of cell phones when it comes to emergency situations and safety. However, the policy for the Fergus Falls District is to confiscate a student’s cell phone for two weeks if he or she is caught using it improperly within the classroom more than once. That’s a change from previous years, when the district would hold the student’s phone for the entire school year.
According to Monke, the previous policy only led students and parents to go out and purchase another phone. At that point, it became more of a financial issue for the family rather than a disciplinary issue for the student.
Monke is hoping the two-week ban will allow a student to go without and be reminded that he or she should follow the rules of proper cell phone use inside the classroom.
But the use of cell phones for text messaging inside the classroom isn’t the only thing teachers are worried about. They’re also concerned that text messaging outside of class will affect students’ work inside the classroom.
Text message lingo has quickly caught on as a way to communicate over a cell phone; rather than writing a word out completely, it is often times more convenient to use an abbreviated text message version. For example, “you’re” generally translates to “ur” and “great” can be more easily texted as “gr8.” And although that may be generally accepted in the world of texts, teachers are doing all they can to ensure it doesn’t become common practice inside the classroom.
Nate Moir is an English teacher with the Fergus Falls Area Learning Center and iQ Academy — an online learning school. He says signs of text message abbreviations appear more often when students use computers for assignments. In a message sent out to iQ Academy students at the beginning of the school year, Moir addressed the issue, stating that students will not be permitted to use the text lingo for assignments.
There have been a few instances when Moir has had to send work back and request that a student properly write out a word rather than use a text abbreviation, but for the most part he says they get it.
“I think most students just know they have to write words out for class,” Moir said.
Fergus Falls High School English teacher, Michelle Karst-Kjaglien agrees and says those students who recognize the time and place for text lingo are a step ahead of the older generations.
“I think in some ways they’re smarter than we are because they are able to differentiate,” Karst-Kjaglien said.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that if the student is getting a message from a parent on their cell phone is different from texting a friend. I have had experience with my child not getting her messages at school before and this caused a lot of frustration for me as a parent. I think that the texting should not be allowed in the classroom but if it is done between classes or lunchtime, it should not be taken away. The Area Learning Center takes phones away any time of the day and this is not right since some of the students there have young children and need to be able to be contacted by their caregivers since the secretary gives the student their messages when she feels like it.
Posted by MarcNSuzy (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What gives the school the right to confiscate someone's personal property? If a student cuts class and drives to the mall can the school then take away the kids car? That's the exact same reasoning.
Wow....just wow.
Posted by chadgrewe (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ya taking away cell phones isnt right but teachers think they can do that is bs far as im concerned
Posted by success (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel cell phones shouldn't be allowed in school at all. Kids are in school to learn. I'm constantly annoyed by the fact that my co-workers cell phones are ringing during business hours (for personal issues). There's a certain time and place for cell phones and during working hours and during school hours isn't one of them. Just my opinion....
Posted by GENX (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems to me that messages were delivered just fine in schools before cell phones became a "BIG" thing. I come from the so called "younger" generation and I think that kids should not be allowed to text or answer their cell phones during class. If something is SO pressing that you need to get a hold of your child you can call the school. I am pretty sure they still have secretaries that take messages! I just don't see how anyone can seriously justify that kids should be allowed to answer texts or their phone while in class. Do you honestly think that kids should be able to say, "hold on one second Mr. Teacher my parent is calling or texting and I need to answer it"!?!?! I mean let's all be honest with ourselves, students can wait until before or after school or during lunch before they look at their phones. I'd like to see you try to teach a class when kids are texting on their phones......let's see if you get ANYTHING accomplished!!
Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is amazing to me is that we were able to function quite efficiently without cell phones in the past. When I was going to school if there was an emergency (which did happen on occasion) my parents NEVER had a problem getting a hold of me. Today's society thinks everything is an emergency from "what's for dinner" to "can you pick me up." These are all great, but utilize your time efficiently and effectively and there wouldn't be this issue. Cell phone are making our students dumber...they don't need to plan ahead or anything. I agree with the previous comment, cell phones shouldn't even be allowed in school. We were able to do without them, but then again, I believe my generation ( and any for that matter) are way smarter and able to utilize resources far better than the generation of today.
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm surprised cell phones are being allowed into schools at all. Talk about the ultimate distraction for both student and teacher in the classroom. As others have said there is an office phone if there is a family emergency. We had one last Spring and had no problem getting a message to my kids going through office staff.
Posted by cogirl (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In many schools cell phones are not allowed period. There have been incidents of inappropriate pictures being taken and sent out to other students, I know as a parent I hope my child never has to deal with that. Schools are set up to handle phone messages and have done a good job for many years. Cell phones should not be part of our schools, teachers have enough to deal with.
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I blame the smoking ban for this issue. Back in the day, a student could go up to Puffer's Park and smoke and socialize with other students that were skipping class. Now you can't even smoke in a bar! Outrageous.
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kidvanwechel...
HUH??
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just stirring the turds. Everything else I've seen in these comments sections always leads back to the smoking ban. I thought I would help steer this story to it as well.
Seriously though. When I was in high school, you got called over the PA system if you had an "emergency". Phones shouldn't be allowed in school during school hours.
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do high schoolers even go up there any more to enjoy Marlboro Country? Those were the days. I saw a lot of good fights up there too. Bring back the days of girl-on-girl fights. Now THOSE gals were tough!
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK Kidvanwechel, you got me!
Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The secretaries these days only announce messages after school. When I went to school, they announced them during the school day also. This could be the reason cell phones have become more widely used during school hours. If they changed a few things about the messaging and being able to use the regular phone during school hours, maybe the cell phones would not have become such an issue.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
grandma, you are obviously not a teacher. Cell phones at school are a ridiculous distraction. I don't care if they are in classrooms or hallways, they shouldn't be out. Have you ever walked through a high school hallway during passing time? Students have their ipods on and are texting without even looking up. What kind of people are we raising?
Parents, please don't text or call your student when he/she is in school unless it's an absolute emergency. There is nothing more annoying than telling a student to put his/her phone away only to find out it was a parent texting. Set some limits here, people.
Posted by Brandon (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Honestly, let the kids text. It's their own fault if they don't catch a bit of information from the teacher and fail their test.
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah sure, let them text. After all, the other students are counting on them to text them the answers to the test...
Posted by mn10klakes (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree wholeheartedly with JAnderson. I was a busy high school student in the mid/late 90s. If something popped up and I couldn't make it to work after school or if I was going to be late getting home, there was never an issue of me not being able to contact to right people. I think cell phones are making kids become lazy and poor planners.
This can also bring up the debate of "should teachers be paid according to what their students acheive?" Again, parents don't see their own fault in that cells are a distraction in class, yet most are still adamant that their children would die without them!
Posted by chadgrewe (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yup i remember the good ole days in jr and onto high school puffers park was a place for kids to hang out during lunch and after school and yes the good old fights were good wonder if there is any more.......wow thought thye would have changed the name puffers park buy now i havent been in school for over 13 yrs or so WOW.........................
Posted by fergusforever (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cellphone usage has gotten out of hand and especially for our youth. It is cutting back on the proper way to communicate, face to face. Texting is disrespectful when done in the classroom (and other areas) and distracting to those that are around it. I say that cell phones should not be allowed in the schools at all and it should be us parents who stand behind that and instill in our kids the fact that they are misued and not needed while they are attending school. If there is an emergency, I am sure that there is plenty of staff available at the schools to assist and get messages to kids. I for one have a diabetic daughter in the school system and I do not allow her to have a phone, she relies on the professional guidance of the school nurse, Kristi Wentworth to monitor her needs. If she were to call me with an emergency, by the time I arrived it would be too late. I say get the cell phones out of the schools and give back the respect to the teachers who are working hard to teach our youth.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To Grandma:
If there is an emergent situation and you need to contact your daughter, call the office, that has always worked in the past! What kind of a parent texts their children in school - they are their to learn! You are contributing to the problem! Teachers have enough trouble as it is trying to keep their students' attention. How can they honestly compete when their students are texting and playing games during class. This is not something that simply occurs in-between classes, many students text throughout entire class periods. As an education major, I am embarrassed to say that I have peers within my program who are guilty of this practice. A cell phone is not an appendage, and having one on in the classroom is definitely not a right.
Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have previously stated that I have personally had problems getting message for my kids while at the high school. I was forced to leave my place of work and go directly to the school to talk to my child since the only messages they are given are AFTER SCHOOL!!!! I'm not sure who the exceptional students are to this rule, but mine was not.
Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not say texting during class was appropriate but being able to contact your parent when you are sick because the nurse doesn't think that throwing up for hours on end warrants going home. She had been to doctors for a medical condition and still was forced to go back to class after laying down for 10 minutes. She used a friends cell to text me between classes and I had to come and take her out because the people in charge did not have the common sense they are born with to allow her to use the phone to call me to get her. Do you stay at your jobs when you are throwing up? As a parent, yes I am going to opt for the responsible use of a cell phone as at times it is needed, so I found out.
Posted by mn10klakes (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
grandma66 - I have a hard time buying your reasoning. Like I said before, I was a HS student in the 90s. I was rarely sick, BUT that doesn't mean I didn't stay home or go home sick. It was so easy to have (a.k.a fake) a headache, go see the nurse and then call one of my parents and go home. I can't imagine the school nurse forcing an hours-on-end puking student to stay at school!
Posted by justme (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, we got along just fine without cell phones for years. However, in this day and age, I'd rather my child had a cell phone in his pocket just in case a classmate had a gun in his. That doesn't mean I'd condone texting in class, or any other use against school policy. I'd just want to know that my kid would have the ability to call me or the authorities in the case of an emergency of any kind.
Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Grandma...tell her to suck it up. I am sure you are "always the victim." There are two sides to every story...for some reason you don't sound like the type who is telling the whole story. I was able to go to school without talking to my parents for the day...then again, my classmates and I were WAY more independent than the kids are today. I'm surprised you don't go to school with your kid...then they wouldn't even need a cell phone because you would be there holding their hand!
Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah I'm just making this s**t up!
Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JAnderson, or should I say "Dr. Anderson" I guess I should have just told her to swallow her vomit. Ya know the whole story is neither one of use even owned cell phones at the time because I didn't feel they were necessary. That's the whole story.
Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I apprecitiate the respect..."Dr"...has a nice ring to it!
Posted by almanza_navywife28 (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What did all of us do in the case of an emergency before cell phones wow how did we do it. I see little kids with cell phones until they have a job and can be responsible I wouldn't let them have one. I think no kid should be allowed to have them in class or even on school property. Maybe this is why so many teens are coming out of school dumber and dumber.
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