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Caught on YouTube

The NEA recently posted an article about teachers who have been unknowingly taped digitally recorded by their students who then posted the videos online. The article mentions some cases where teachers are clearly acting inappropriately. However, it also mentions a few cases in which the video clip was taken out of context or edited in a manner that created the appearance of unprofessional behavior.

The article goes on to describe how one might go about requesting videos be taken off of YouTube, and right near the end it states:

Problem is, kids aren't always responsible. That's why cell phones and other digital media should be banned in classrooms, advises NEA General Counsel Michael Simpson. He also suggests that schools make it a punishable offense to post a video of another student or teacher without that person's permission.

But the safest course of action is to prevent students from capturing humiliating or damning video in the first place.

Questions

  • Why is the first reaction to this "ban 'em all?" Shouldn't we recommend first that teachers not go on mad rampages, call students hateful names, or physically assault students?
  • How do you teach students to use digital cameras responsibly?
  • Is it inherently a bad thing to record a teacher in their classroom without their permission?
  • Is it ever OK to post video of a person online without their permission?

Comments

  • The suggestion to ban cell phones based upon these instances seems lacking to me. There seems to be two classifications of video recording according to this article: (1) students purposely trying to get teachers fired, and (2) students recording honest-to-goodness atrocities committed by teachers. The first group of students aren't going to be affected by a ban. They're clearly looking to create trouble. I doubt a ban on cell phones would prevent their mischief. As for the second group, I have a hard time believing that what they're doing is all that wrong. It's very likely that when students make serious accusations of teacher misconduct their complaints are fully believed. So to prove their point, they get hard evidence.
  • This is a tough issue. Take five 30-second clips of my worst teaching moments throughout a year and play it back to me. I'd be horribly embarrassed, feel like a terrible person, and anyone you'd show it to would believe that as well.
  • I don't think teachers should live in fear of being taped. I think teachers should be comfortable with anyone see them teach at anytime. What's to hide? I realize we all have bad moments, but as a profession we should be striving for transparency and professionalism. Teachers should be managing their classrooms in such a manner that being covertly video taped won't turn up any dirt.

What do you think?

Check out the NEA article. Is my thinking on track? Or am I a certified wacko? Have you ever been caught on tape (for good or ill)? Is banning cell phones the way to handle this issue? Am I wrong to not be very sympathetic towards many of these teachers being taped?

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NO CELL PHONES!

These are my observations on my current school's cell phone policy, and somewhat in response to Darren Draper's recent posts on cell phones in school. It includes some speculation, but I'm trying my best to present the background of what appears to have happened to arrive at the current policy.

In years past

[Some speculation here] Based upon stories told by teachers, students, and observations made on the first day of school (when students were generally unaware of the new cell phone policy), in previous years there were no rules against having or using cell phones during school. Indeed, it sounds as if there were no rules against having or using cell phones during class.  While this sounds better than the current policy (hang on, we'll get there), it is my speculation that things were a little too loosy-goosy. Apparently students texting one another during classes was the norm. Teachers who tried to crack down were told they weren't allowed to confiscate cell phones- or at least they weren't well supported by administration when they did. This led to a situation [biggest speculation so far] where students felt entitled to utilize their phones for whatever purposes they saw fit during all times of the school day.

The present day

Because of the many problems that occur with the use of cell
phones during the school day, students are no longer allowed
to use their cell phones during school hours. This means that
from 7:25 am to 2:07 pm, cell phones are not to be used during
class time; during passing times in the halls; during time
spent in the lav, in the library, and/or in the nurse’s office; and
during lunch time in the cafeteria. Students who bring their
cell phones to school should keep them off or silenced, and
cell phones should be safely secured in their backpacks, purses,
or lockers. It is important to note that Fitch High School
is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. In the instance
that a student needs to use a phone during the school day, that
student should notify a faculty or staff member who will
direct that student to a phone

- 2008-2009 Student Handbook

Teachers have been instructed to confiscate all cell phones upon sight during the school day, whether students are in the halls, at lunch, or in the classroom.

The (my) ideal

[My opinions] The lack of regulations in years past seems to have led to the blatant misuse of cell phones during the school day. Texting during while the class is in session, increased tardiness due to use of cell phones between classes, and other uses I do believe are negative and shouldn't be allowed. The new rules seem to have come as a reaction to this lack of regulation. Perhaps, given the environment of allowed misuse in years past the "confiscate on sight" policy is more appropriate. However, I'd hope that next year the rules would be changed slightly once the misuse has been purged.

From a recent poll of my freshman classes, I found that 87% of my students- as freshmen- have their own cell phones. As time goes on, it is likely that percentage will rise even further. This data points to the pervasiveness of cell phones in our society. Upon graduation students will own personal cellphones and more than likely take them to their place of work. In their future job's professional environment cell phones (most likely) won't be banned, but they will be expected to use their phones responsibly.

While I understand that not all (read: most) teachers are not ready to jump to the use of cell phones in class¹, I believe that all teachers are in a position to help students learn responsible management of cell phones. By responsible management, I mean students would be allowed to have cell phones in school, but would be taught when it's okay to text, take calls, or otherwise use their phones in a professional environment. I feel this acknowledges a couple of truths: (1) cell phones are not a fad, and will be a part of our lives for the forseable future, (2) teaching responsible use is more important and effective than simply banning. Banning tells our students we're afraid of their new fangled techno-tools, and as such they write off schools as not being relevant to their lives.

Taking it further

Of course, cell phones are powerful little computers nowadays. They most certainly can be used appropriately to enhance the K-12 curriculum. I have no experience with this (having worked at cell phone banned schools my entire career), but let me point you toward some resources I've come across.

Image credit: Ben Wildeboer

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¹ However I have heard teachers request calculators several times so far this year because they don't have enough. How ironic that most students are carrying calculators in their pockets, but are banned from taking them out.

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Student technology survey

I tried out the new laptop cart at my new placement today. No one was very confident that the laptops would work well, but I used them enough at my old job ( and mostly found them quite effective) that I wasn't just going to let that cart sit there untested for long.

The last 20 minutes of each hour today I had students try to log into the school's network. I was surprised I had so few who couldn't login considering I have all 9th graders coming from 3 different middle schools and several who're new to the district altogether.

Once they were logged in I had them take a survey on their technology experience¹.

Initial results

  • 87% have their own cell phone
  • 82% have their own mp3 player
  • 92% have a computer at home connected to the internets

Conclusions

  1. Remember these are all freshmen. Most are just 14 years old. I'd imagine by the time they're juniors and seniors the percentage of students who have cell phones and mp3 players would increase to near 100%.
  2. The student body is quite diverse socio-economically and yet my percentages are very high across the board. Only 8 of my students DON'T have cell phones. Only 2 don't have internet access at home.
  3. Currently, all cell phones are supposed to be confiscated on sight from the beginning of 1st hour to the final bell. Does this policy support 21st century skills? Even if the skill being taught is simply appropriate use of a cell phone in a "business" setting (i.e. not texting during presentations, learning when and where it is acceptable to pull out their phones, etc.)?
  4. The school has about 1 computer for every 10 students (maybe even less), yet at home the ratio is probably much closer to 1:4. Are they being taught to effectively use online tools at home? They certainly aren't getting much computer time at school.

I have more data from the survey that'll take a little longer to disaggregate, but I'll share that when I get a chance to break it down.

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¹ If you'd like to see it, here it is.