Costly College Freshmen Mistakes: Rude Behavior in the Classroom

Last fall, I taught several freshmen courses at a state college and was dismayed by the new freshmen who were not only unprepared for the homework regimen, but also lacked a basic awareness of appropriate classroom conduct. While I understood that the college homework regimen requires students to adapt quickly to the workload, I (like many of my colleagues) was particularly aggravated by the rude behavior of many freshmen students, even some so-called "A" students. In order to help the freshmen class of 2007 to adapt to the expectations of college teachers, I have included some tips to help students observe college classroom decorum:

1. Cell Phones - While many states are legislating the use of cell phones on public roads, these regulations do not apply to the college classroom. However, the vast majority of college instructors not only detest being interrupted by a ringing cell phone during class, they have policies in their syllabi that forbid such insensitivity in the learning environment. Thus, you should always ensure that your cell phone is shut off for the duration of each class period.

2. Instant Messenging - This mode of communication is often used on wired campuses, even during lectures. I have had a student or two LOL (Laugh out loud) in the middle of a lecture. I felt my blood pressure go up 20 points; however, my response was tame compared to that of some my tenured colleagues. My advice: In a wired classroom, keep instant messenging shut off so you are not tempted to respond to friends.

3. Facebook and MySpace - These socialization sites have become the biggest distraction in my wired classrooms. During one of my teaching evaluations, my evaluator estimated that approximately 2/3 of my students were dabbling online in one or the other website. In fact, these sites have become such a distraction that I no longer allow students to use their laptops to take notes in class.