School of Education & Human Sciences Technology Policy Regarding the Use of Electronic Devices
Introduction
In our efforts to provide an environment that fosters and supports learning and the exchange of ideas, the Campbell University School of Education & Human Sciences finds that the proliferation of personal electronics in our instructional arenas makes it necessary to address the acceptable use of these devices during class sessions and examinations. Using an electronic device for activities unrelated to the learning experience coordinated by the course instructor distracts the student using the device, his/her neighbors, and the professor. Additionally, this usage is viewed as disrespectful of all others (students and instructor) engaged in the teaching/learning process. The quality of the learning experience suffers when these discourteous distractions occur.
Scope
The School of Education & Human Sciences views the use of personal electronics as affecting everyone involved with a learning experience. Therefore, the use of these devices is dictated by the unit’s acceptable technology use policies and is not solely an individual’s choice. These policies apply to but are not limited to: cell phones, blackberries, pagers, tablet PCs, mobile presenters, wireless tablets, beepers, and palms, Ipods, MP3 players, texting calculators, camera phones, digital cameras or laptops.
Policies
- All extraneous devices, including cell phones, blackberries, pagers, tablet PCs, mobile presenters, wireless tablets, digital recorders, beepers, palms, Ipods, MP3 players, texting calculators, camera phones, digital cameras or laptops, are not to be used during class unless the professor authorizes their usage for a class-related purpose.
- In particular, cell phones are to be turned off and are not to be used during a class.
- If the instructor gives permission for the use of a personal computer and or digital recorder for note-taking that is the sole purpose to which these devices should be put.
- The use of any electronic devices during examinations, other than those sanctioned by the professor in charge of the testing, is strictly prohibited.
- Cell phones/camera phones are to be turned off and not used during any testing or examination period. During the testing session cell phones/camera phones are to be stored in a case, book bag, knapsack, or purse, and may not be placed on the table, desktop, or individual’s lap.
- Students may access the internet during class sessions for only instructor authorized, class-related purposes. It should be noted that the School of Education & Human Sciences controls the internet connectivity in classrooms and may elect to “turn-off” the network during class time or restrict student passwords for wireless connections.
- Students with disabilities or exceptional needs, who require electronic devices for their day-to-day functioning in the academic setting, are to coordinate the use of electronics during class sessions with their course professor.
- Students with documented disabilities or exceptional needs, who require electronic devices to complete tests, mid-term examinations and final examinations, are to inform the class instructor in writing at the beginning of the course. In the event a professor is not present and an examination is monitored by an authorized proctor, the student requiring assistive technologies is to inform the proctor about any technology needs prior to the beginning of the testing.
Procedures and Reactions
Students enrolled in School of Education & Human Sciences courses are expected to comply with the acceptable use policies for personal electronic devices. Individuals using these technologies without instructor approval and appropriate authorization are subject to disciplinary actions.
Use of Electronic Devices in the Classroom
Students using any electronic device in class for an activity not related to the learning experience, or without instructor authorization will receive a verbal warning for the first offense. This warning will be documented in writing in the student’s academic file. If a second offense occurs, the student will be expelled from the class session and will receive no credit for any activities or assignments scheduled for that day. He/she will receive a written warning. A copy of the second warning will be placed in the student’s academic file. A third offense results in the removal of the student from the course.
Unauthorized use of the internet in the classroom
The use of the internet during a School of Education & Human Sciences class for personal communication, private exploration, or any other purpose outside of the instructional activities prescribed by the professor for that instructional session will result in a verbal warning and/or loss of credit for that specific class period. Subsequent misuse of the internet will result in loss of student access to the internet resources provided for student use by the School.
Use of Electronic Devices during a Test or Examination
Anyone using any electronic device other than those authorized and approved by the course instructor during an examination or test will be considered to have committed an act of academic dishonesty. The student will be expelled from the testing session and receive a grade of 0. Retesting will not be permitted. The student may also face institutional penalties for academic dishonesty, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Use of the Internet during a Test or Examination
Anyone using the internet for any purpose other than those authorized and approved by the course instructor during an examination or test will be considered to have committed an act of academic dishonesty. The student will be expelled from the testing session and receive a grade of 0. Retesting will not be permitted. The student may also face institutional penalties for academic dishonesty, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Emergency Contact
The School of Education & Human Sciences realizes that there are times when students face personal emergencies and may need venues to receive pertinent information while they are attending class. In the event an individual faces an urgent situation he/she should follow these steps.
- Inform those who may be trying to contact you as to your daily class schedule. Coordinate times outside of your scheduled classes during which you will place and receive telephone calls.
- Students, enrolled in classes meeting between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Fridays, who anticipate that an emergency might arise may provide the School of Education & Human Sciences telephone number (910 893 1630) as the contact point. A School of Education & Human Sciences staff member can receive the call and unobtrusively inform the professor of the need for you to leave a class so you may respond to your personal situation without disturbing the learning of others.
- Students enrolled in classes after 5:00 pm who anticipate a pending emergency should discuss with the course instructor if you may leave the class session to respond to a “silent ring” on your cell phone. These session-by-session arrangements should be made prior to the beginning of each class.
For more information on the School of Education & Human Sciences’s Technology Policies contact:
Dr. Terrie Hampton-Jones, Technology Coordinator
910-893-1715
betheahampton@campbell.edu