Job Discussion Forums

[killian]

is it just me being an old fuddy duddy or is there really something wrong with kids trying to videorecord me while teaching? yeah, i know they are kids and they are enjoying the new technologies but it creeps me out/angers me to no end.

i keep a lively classroom. and knowing they are taping me really constricts everything.

i sure as heck don't want to wake up some day and find any of myself the center of discussion here or on chinasmack.

[ttorriel]

Can we assume you are in a university setting?

Forbid cell phones entirely in the classroom.

Confiscate their phones for some designated period of time.

Report them to the Dean of the department.

I completely forbid phones in my classroom.

[cardboardbird]

[killian]

high school. i see each class only 1x every other week.

[Voldermort]

[norwalkesl]

My school also has strict rules.

No cellphones, no mp3's, no music players. Only CN>En translators allowed. No smoking either or expulsion. As a result the kids have fun and study or pretend to...

It's a great rule no cells, and I had it on my list for Day One. Did not need it.

[Mister Al]

I do mainly lecturing so have no problem students using whatever machine to record the lecture if they want to. It means they can have access to the lesson outside the classroom. Also they can actually concentrate on the lecture instead of taking notes, or sleep as the case may be.
When I was at uni many students put dictaphones on the lecturer's dias when he/she didn't object and most didn't. One enterprising girl used to go straight home and type up the lecture verbatim and sell the notes to those who didn't attend for a couple of quid a time. Nice little earner as Del boy would say.

[Jayray]

I've had English corners recorded by students. I took it as a compliment.

I've had photos taken of me in class by students. It was all in fun, though they knew that cell phones were forbidden. That usually happened at the end of the year when everyone was feeling good and happy that the term was over.

I've found that in most cases, after I lay down the law about cell phones, the rules are rarely broken. When they are broken, it isn't because someone is texting or playing games.

I DO allow the use of the dictionary function. (I didn't even know about its existence until last year!). I teach university level. Most of my students are good natured, mature and cooperative.

The situation in the states is quite different...

[XiGua]

Usually if you just walk up to them and look at them and they'll put it away. Or if I wave at them when they are blatantly trying to record me they'll get shy and put it away. But whenever I've had a problem and actually tried to take a students phone they just put it in their desks or something and flat out tell me "no." At times I can be sneaky though and trick them by saying "Wow your phone is so cool! Can I see it?" Then I just take it and walk away. Usually I'll give it to their head teacher or put it in the teachers office for the student to go get it later.

What am I to do if they just outright refuse to do as I say? It's not like I can just grab the kid and snatch it from them. I don't care enough to let me seriously get angry and i'm not about to get into trouble with the school for something frivolous.

Whenever i'd told the head teachers or anyone with actual authority about my problems they give me the standard Chinese answer of "Don't worry about this." Maybe they'll scold the kids or something but it doesn't change anything.

[Laurence]

The only thing worse than everyone wanting to video you

is nobody wanting to video you

[janeal]

I taught in a uni & there were no restrictions on cellphones, mp3s, etc. A number of students taped classroom activities & I also considered it a compliment. One even asked if it was ok.

However, I once taught at a middle school which had restrictions (no electronic toys). Of course, I had to enforce the rules but really had no problems. Perhaps middle school kids are less rebellious.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[hankemhigh]

The real threat of these Photo opportunities is the possibility of them ending up on the many "broadcast" sites such as You tube.

[Dan The Chainsawman]

I wouldn't allow it myself. There aren't any rules at my school about it, but I tell each of my classes at the beginning of the term that if I see a mobile phone it becomes mine for the rest of the class.

I've had students record me before as a joke between classes, I've never cared about that.

[Renegade_o_Funk]

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