Keynote Address by Dr. Michele Lee Kozimor-King Le Moyne College November 21, 2016

1. No SNAP (CHAT) ZONE:
Examining Cell Phone Policies on a
College Campus
MICHELE LEE KOZIMOR-KING, PH.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
PRESIDENT, ALPHA KAPPA DELTA

2. Please do NOT silence your phone!
In Fact:
• If you have a phone (smart or not) please place it on the table in
front of you.
• Turn the sound ON.
• Be sure all notifications are ON.
• Continue snapping, tweeting, texting, yaking, posting to Instagram
or Facebook, or playing Pokemon Go for the next 5 minutes.
• Tweet along #snapfreekozphd

3. General Rules for Cell Phone Policies
on Syllabi
• Syllabi should contain specific policies for cell phone
use and should be supported by college policy
(Johnson 2009).
• Policies should be clear with consequences for
violating substantial enough to make an impression
(Shaw 2009).
• Embarrassment doesn’t work in the long run (Burns
and Lohenry 2010).
• Citing empirical evidence of academic impairment
may improve regulation (End et al. 2010)

4. Cell Phones in Classroom: Good or bad?
• Positive
Uses/Consequences
• Active Learning
• Increased Participation
• Negative Consequences
• Distracting
• Cheating
• Disrespectful

5. Background
• College students reported using their cell phones
an average of 11 times per day in class (McCoy
2013)
• 92% of college students reported using their cell
phones to text during class (Tindell and Bohlander
2012)
• 10% texted during an exam on at least one
occasion (Tindell and Bohlander 2012)
• 80% of college students find phones distracting
(Sana et al. 2013)

6. Data
• All Available Elizabethtown College Syllabi
• 1,800 students, 120 faculty, private, liberal arts
• 4 Semesters
• Fall 2005, Fall 2008, Fall 2011, Fall 2016
• 1,451 syllabi
• Obtained from the High Library database
• First available semester was Fall 2003

7. Fall 2003 Syllabi
• Only 2 cell phone policies out of 273 syllabi (0.7%)
• Psychology 225: Developmental Psychology -
Female Professor:
“Pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms
should be turned OFF.”
• English 104: American Literature I - Female
Professor.
“Cell phones and pagers should be turned
off.”

8. 0.7
6.3
20.3
37.4
50.2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Fall 2003 Fall 2005 Fall 2008 Fall 2011 Fall 2016
Percentage
Percentage of Syllabi With A Cell Phone
Policy

9. Cell Phone Policy by Course Level
Fall 2016
Course Level (%)
100
(n=158)
200
(n=146)
300
(n=130)
400
(n=68)
Cell Phone Policy
No 36.1 49.3 55.4 72.1
Yes 63.9 50.7 44.6 27.9
χ²= 27.016; p=.000
Statistically Significant

10. Notable Changes Between 2011 and 2016
• Length
• Overall, policies are significantly longer.
• Multiple devices
• Policies now refer to iPads, tablets, and smart watches, in addition to cell phones.
• Increased Positivity
• Numerous policies now indicate the positive uses of cell phones in the classroom.
Some policies are even exclusively pro-phone.
• Conflicting Policies
• Policies within departments, and even in the same class, conflict with each other

11. Length and multiple device example
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
During class, all cell phones or electronic devices should be off or set to
silent mode. You may not use your phone or device during class, unless
given express permission by the instructor and may be used for educational
purposes only. Use of laptops and tablets is permitted to take notes in
class. If you choose to use your electronic devices for non-educational
activities, the devices will be placed at the front of the room until class is
completed. Attendance/Participation: Attendance is expected (see
attendance policy). Many of the class activities cannot be duplicated
outside of class; therefore, you will not receive participation points and/or
credit for any group assignment on any day you are absent. Cell phones
must be TURNED OFF during class. Texting/calling during class will result in
an automatic deduction of participation points.
Female, First Year Seminar, 100 level

12. Length Example
• Use of digital tools and mobile devices during class is encouraged
provided the intent is engaging in the topics and activities. Mobile
devices can be powerful learning and organization tools, so please use
them to your advantage. These tools can also coax you to remain off-
task and disengaged for entire class periods if you use them during class
time for activities unrelated to the topics. For example, “facebooking”
during class is likely to keep you off task for longer than you or I would
like and also likely to be disturbing and distracting to those around you.
I appreciate your ability to multi-task, but would like your energies
focused during our short class periods. Examples of appropriate use of
technology during class would be one of the following:
• Navigating the Canvas site for materials
• Entering due dates and other important info on phone
• Using video/audio recording to create a repository of learning
supports that you can access later for review
• Navigating digital MLB’s to read other participants’ writing and shared
resources on the topics
Cell phones can also be disruptive, so please make sure that you are
respectful of others and have the phone on silent or powered off during
class. If you do not have access to mobile technology (i.e. lap top,
smartphone, IPad) and would like to use tech during class to accomplish
one of the uses listed above (or something similar), the department has
a set of IPads and lap tops for student use. I will be happy to make
arrangements for access as needed.
• Female, Special Education, 300 Level Course

13. More Devices Noted
• Everything with a
screen has to be turned
off during class.
• Male, Economics, 100 level
• Cell phones hidden away and OFF. That
means no talking, no texting, no browsing,
no gaming, and no checking the time. You
should forget that you even own a cell
phone during the time we spend together. In
other words, I do not want to see your
phone during class.
• Usage of an Apple Watch, SmartWatch,
Pebble, or any other such device is not
allowed in class. Such devices should be
turned off or turned to sleep mode during
regular classes, and taken off and stored
away during exams.
• In accordance with departmental policy, all
other electronic equipment, including
laptops and tablets, must also be turned off.
• Male, Business, 200 level

14. Positive View Examples
• Technology: We use the internet. Bring your phone
and computer to class. (ringers off, please).
• Female, Occupational Therapy, 200 level
• Statement on Electronic Devices
As a part of honoring each other within this
classroom space, I ask you to use technology in a way
that honors our space. I believe the use of electronic
devices to browse the Internet and social networking
is disrespectful to the teacher’s and students’
presence and preparation time. This activity impedes
your learning, is disrespectful to our collaborations,
and is distracting to the students who can see your
screen. Using technology for in-class listening and
research is highly encouraged.
• Male, Music, 200 level

15. Conflicting Messages Example
*NOTE: A laptop computer is not needed during class, except for
special projects. All electronics will be off and stowed during class,
except when used as part of a class activity. Feel free to bring your
smart phone/tablet for quick look-ups, but keep it stowed and on
silent until I ask you to pull it out. No phone use during class. If you
need to call or text, please take your things and leave.
Male, English, 100 level

16. Conflicting
Education Department
• BYOD| Students are encouraged to
use personal devices/computers in
class to enhance learning. Please
use them responsibly, with respect
to the professor and student
colleagues.
• Female, 300 level
• Cell phones are expected to be turned off
and put out of sight during class. You are
expected to refrain from using phones for
text messaging or taking pictures during
class. Points will be deducted from your
participation grade for violating this policy.
Laptops, tablets, or iPads may NOT be used
to view PowerPoints and/or take notes, Last
year, we tried allowing these devices in
class. Almost 100% of students who used
them in class became distracted from time-
to-time, and the end result was a significant
drop in both participation points and/or test
grades. In some cases, the consequences
were dramatic.
Female, 200 level

17. Interesting Policy
• Use of cellular phones or any other electronic communication devices for any
purpose during a class or exam session is prohibited. This includes using a mobile
phone for sending out messages, connecting to the internet or any other
application thereof. In some unavoidable situations the student may request the
professor for consent to keep their phone active for incoming calls. As a
member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other
students who are members of the community. When cell phones ring and
students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class.
Therefore, the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar
communication devices during scheduled classes is forbidden. All such devices
must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be
taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices
are an integral part of the College's emergency notification system, an exception
to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously.
When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a College
emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately
returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be
granted at the discretion of the professor. Sanctions for violation of this policy
are determined by the professor, at a minimum one grade point will be
deducted, and may include dismissal from the class.
• Male, Philosophy, 200 level

18. Female Social Work Professor:
• Cell phone policy: As cell phones (and other electronic devices)
detract from the classroom experience. All electronic devices
must be OFF during classroom experience; vibrate mode can
still be heard and distract from your education. Please see the
Participation section to find out more about cell phone use. In
a nutshell – turn them off while in the classroom. Do not use
cell phones in class. When you enter the classroom, I ask you
to do as they say on the plane: “Please turn off and stow all
portable electronic devices”! If you are identified as using a
cell phone at any point during class, I will immediately inquire
as to the emergency and ask you to leave the classroom. This
will most certainly impact your participation and attendance
grade. If there is an emergency, please let me know in advance
of class and plan to step outside the class to check or use your
phone if and when it is needed. The bottom line is that we
meet for an hour and fifteen minutes twice a week, your
friends, family and internship folks should know that you are in
class or at the very least understand when you are unable to
answer/respond to their texts. I will leave my phone in my
office and commit this time to you…I expect you to commit to
your peers and this class by turning off your phone.
1.Turn Off
2.Respect
3.Points
4.Leave
5.Humor
7.Distract
8.Emergency
6.Ask

19. Policies Requiring Phones to be Turned Off
56%
44%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
82%
18%
Fall 2005-2011
Yes
No
Please turn off your cell phones and electronic devices or set them on
airplane mode!
Female, Political Science, 300 level

20. Points Deducted
30%
70%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
22%
78%
Fall 2005-2011
Yes
No
If you are caught talking on the cell phone, texting, checking email,
browsing the web, or communicating with others via a social
networking site without explicit instructor permission you will
automatically lose 5 points off your accumulated point total for the
semester.
Female, Biology, 200 level

21. Policies Mentioning Respect
13%
87%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
14%
86%
Fall 2005-2011
Yes
No
The policy with regard to cell-phone use, food and drink, attire and
other social norms is simple: Be respectful of the instructor, your
classmates, and yourself. I am optimistic that I will not have to
discipline any students for these activities, but I reserve the right to
address problems as they arise.
Male, Communications, 200 level

22. Policies Using Embarrassment
2%
98%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
5%
95%
Fall 2005-2011
Yes
No
If a phone rings, I get to answer it. If you text in class, I will
present to the class a “dramatic reading” of all of your
text messages.
Male, Communications, 100 level

23. Disruption/Distraction
20%
80%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
14%
86%
Fall 2005-2011
Yes
No
To get the most out of class, please try to arrive on time and limit
disruptions. Do not surf the internet for personal reasons or go on
Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter during class (unless you are asked to do
so) or use Snapchat as it is distracting to me and your classmates.
According to Departmental policy, students are required to turn off all
cell phones upon entering a Sociology or Anthropology classroom.
Texting is ONLY permitted in class on a limited basis to contact a team
member, me, or a teaching assistant.
Female, Sociology, 300 level

24. BYOD/Devices Encouraged
7%
93%
Fall 2016
Yes
No
BYOD| Students are encouraged to use personal devices/computers in
class to enhance learning. Please use them responsibly, with respect to
the professor and student colleagues.
Female, Education, 300 level
Cell phones must be silenced before entering the studio, although you
are encouraged to use your phone to record your lesson to assist you in
your practicing.
Female, Music, 200 level

25. Summary
• Cell phone policies have grown longer.
• Still lacking concrete consequences.
• More policies recognize positives.
• Most common policy remains to turn off phone.
• Few policies reference humor or embarrassment.
• More policies in 2016 reference point deductions and distraction.
• Policies vary even in departments with a departmental policy.
• Policies vary based on class level by the same instructor.
• My advice: read and consult thy syllabus!

26. Special Thanks to Barbara Prince, Dr. Jeffrey
Chin, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Anyone Tweeting
For more information please contact:
Dr. Michele Lee Kozimor-King
Kozimor-kim@etown.edu