Student Expectations

It is important that students know your expectations for the use of the mobile computing devices in your classroom.  All instructors are different and all classrooms are different.  What one instructor expects in their classroom may be different than what you expect in your classroom.  These expectations are typically included in the syllabus and discussed on the first day of class.  This gives your students an opportunity to know your expectations and alter their actions appropriately.  The same holds true with mobile computing devices.  Many students handle and utilize their mobile computing devices in different ways.  It is essential for your students to know how they are to be used in your classroom.

Preparation

Students are typically required to arrive to class on time and be prepared.  This would include having the appropriate materials for class and assignments completed.  Mobile computing devices should be taken into account as well.  If students are going to be required to use their mobile computing devices in your class, then they need to have the proper amount of battery available to complete the activities. Students also should consider the amount of “boot-up” time it takes to get their devices ready.  If a particular device requires five minutes to boot-up, log on, connect, etc., that needs to be taken into account.

Distraction of Mobile Devices

Though the mobile devices can be used to enhance the teaching and learning process, they can also distract from the purposes of the class.  Many mobile devices are capable of connecting to the Internet, making a wide variety of distracting material readily available to the student.  Most also carry the ability for chatting, instant messaging, and gaming.  Therefore, it is important that instructors establish acceptable usage for their classrooms.  If an instructor does not want the students surfing, chatting, gaming, etc., they should make it clear that it is an inappropriate practice in their classroom.  Students should understand that not only are they distracting themselves from the learning process, but they are potentially distracting others as well.

Student Attention

Certain mobile computing devices create a type of visual “barrier” between the instructor and student.  Laptop computers are an example.  In a classroom where all students have a laptop on their desk, a portion of the student is visually blocked by the laptop screen.  In addition, students’ focus and attention can be directed soley to the screen.  This type of environment can be frustrating for an instructor as they only see laptop screens instead of students.  To avoid this, communicate with the students the importance of eye contact and active listening.

File Sharing

With the integration of mobile computing devices, more assignments will likely be done using the computers.  This increases the potential of file sharing as a means of plagiarism.  Communicate with the students on your expectations for individual work and what is acceptable collaborative work.