The Use and Abuse of Cell Phones and Text Messaging in the Classroom: A Survey of College Students

As the use of mobile devices, such as cell phones, has proliferated in academic settings in recent years, new challenges are faced by institutions of higher education and their faculties. The authors surveyed 269 college students from 21 academic majors at a small northeastern university to gain a b...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:College teaching 2012-01, Vol.60 (1), p.1-9
Main Authors: Tindell, Deborah R., Bohlander, Robert W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
academic dishonesty
Cell phones
Cellular telephones
Change Strategies
Cheating
Classroom Environment
Classroom management
Classroom Techniques
Classrooms
College instruction
College Students
Colleges
Computer Mediated Communication
Electronic Mail
Handheld Devices
Higher education
Incidence
Internet
Learner Engagement
Majors (Students)
Mass Media Use
Mobile phones
Polls & surveys
Self Disclosure (Individuals)
Social networks
Student Attitudes
Student Behavior
Student Surveys
Teachers
Text messaging
texting
United States (Northeast)
Use Studies
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:As the use of mobile devices, such as cell phones, has proliferated in academic settings in recent years, new challenges are faced by institutions of higher education and their faculties. The authors surveyed 269 college students from 21 academic majors at a small northeastern university to gain a better understanding of the frequency and manner in which cell phones are used in college classrooms. Focusing on the use of text messaging in the classroom, students reported on their own and others' use of cell phones. It was found that 95% of students bring their phones to class every day, 92% use their phones to text message during class time, and 10% admit they have texted during an exam on at least one occasion. The majority of the students surveyed believe that instructors are largely unaware of the extent to which texting and other cell phone activities engage students in the classroom. These activities include browsing the Internet, sending pictures, or accessing social networking sites. The authors discuss these and other findings and their implications for issues of classroom management and academic dishonesty.
ISSN:8756-7555
1930-8299
DOI:10.1080/87567555.2011.604802