Center for Teaching and Learning

Promoting Student Success: What would YOU do? A Quiz

In the middle of a fine lecture on a topic you have carefully researched, a cell phone rings out from the center of the classroom. A student climbs over others in his/her row of chairs and leaves the room. You:
- a. Continue your presentation without skipping a beat.
- b. Make a note to yourself to speak to this rude student.
- c. Remind the class that professional behaviors include turning off ringers and beepers during class.
- d. Stop the class to remind the exiting student that he/she will be considered absent if he/she leaves.
  
  DISCUSSION
  
  All students must abide by the Student Conduct Code which mandates that everyone has to behave civilly and in a manner that is conducive for learning to occur in the class. Cell phone ringing, loud comments, and other disruptive behaviors distract students from the primary purpose in coming to school, learning. Faculty members are expected to create and maintain an environment with minimal distractions to learning. Include a civility statement in the syllabus so that if distractions occur, you can refer to this statement as you remind students to behave professionally in class (Question 5, Choice C).
  
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