Texting in class bad for learning

Just before I retired from teaching, a parent learned that his son had been texting in all his classes. Understandably upset, the parent created a spreadsheet showing when the texting had occurred and presented his information to the administration.

While the student was not disciplined, the teachers whose classes were involved were questioned, then asked to thank the parent for unearthing the problem.

Teachers know that texting goes on during their classes, but it is hard to catch the offenders. First, texting is silent and most students can text imperceptibly. Second, teachers are typically not strolling around looking into students' laps for phones. Rather, they are usually in front of the room, sometimes with their backs to the class. While the parent was correct that we had a texting problem, it was not due to teacher inattention.

Yes, there is a serious problem and it deserves serious consequences. When a student texts during class, at best he is losing valuable instruction time. At worst, he can cheat by transmitting answers to other students or contact persons outside the school. Plans can be made that may lead to other, more serious troubles.

Clearly, something should be done, but teachers should not be expected to solve the problem; ratcheting up discipline and involving parents hold the most promise. At my school, when a student was caught with a cell phone, it was merely confiscated for the day. But if infractions resulted in serious discipline, texting would surely decline. Moreover, if parents had to come in to retrieve confiscated phones, fewer kids would be allowed to bring them to school.

The message my school sent was this: Even when administrators know the extent of your texting, you can walk away while your teachers lie awake at night wondering whether they are worthy of their profession.

Patty Schreiber

Campton Hills