The Whiteboard Jungle

I see the entitlement ideology everywhere, unfortunately.

Me too, and I find it very worrisome. I can't imagine how this attitude must affect how administrators deal with these types of issues.

When I was in seventh grade, I had one of those pet tamagotchis that were popular. Once while "feeding" it in math class, the teacher took it away in a very public way. I had no time to be pissed, I was mortified.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of times now, schools have to worry about being 'politically correct' in addition to increasing amount of me-me-me behavior. If a student now doesn't like how they're being treated (even if its completely just at the time), they'll often get their parents involved or find a way to turn it around on the teacher.

I know that my hometown has two gossip sites where these people post about how awful teachers are, when they're, for the most part, just doing their jobs and trying to educate students. How are educators supposed to get through to students when they're being enabled to think they're the center of the universe?

Or has growing-up on instant access to communication and information become such a part of the norm that being without it causes anxiety and stress?

I obviously don't have the answers to this, but I have a 16 yo step-sister who is very addicted to her cellphone. When I visit, she is physically in the room but mentally elsewhere. Once, she visited me with her mother and she texted nonstop until her phone battery died. Then, she used her mother's phone until her's was operable again and then she kept on texting.

I felt sad that an overnight visit was too long of a time to be away from communicating. I also think it was very rude - just as I think it's rude to use a cell when visiting with friends, during a meal, in a restaurant, on a date, etc.

Entitlement thinking spans most age groups now, but more so with many teens. I wonder what is going to happen when this me-me-me generation become adults?

Maybe someone can help me (an older fart) who's kids grew up w/out these things...thank God...

Why can't the school systems somehow be able to regulate these things in some way...no argument can overcome the fact that they are a huge distraction....heck, I've got a nephew who can literally text on his device while it's in his pants pocket, and he never has to look at it - sad indeed...he thinks it really cool

The schools main charter is to provide an education, why can't they overcome this obvious problem??

BTW Shakespeare, great article, as always....

TIA

If a school bans and enforces a "no cell phone in class" policy, there is a guarantee that students will complain. Instead of their parents just saying "deal with it" the parents end up getting involved in their children defense. Once the parents and their tax dollars are involved, the administration will eventually cave, or have less strict rules.

Schools are becoming daycare centers for older children...

the administration will eventually cave, or have less strict rules

There you have the root of the problem!
Administration should support the teachers.
My Big Sis has retired now, but when she started working in further education there were about 1 admin person to every 5 lecturers, when she retired this ratio had reversed.
Society is run by beurocrats who don't actually do or understand the task in hand, they are only motivated by 'bums on seats', 'targets' or their own remuneration.
The next generation will doubtless get the society they deserve...
Del (call me an old cynic if you like)

_{Del you're an old cynic}

It is odd.

I see young people walking around all day looking at a phone. They type stuff into it and never look up to say, "Hey, I got told a bomb was on the way!"

It is really weird, and I am reminded of the scene in Fahrenheit 451 where everybody sits on buses hugging themselves.

At the school my daughter attends, the rule is that any 'phone found turned on in class will be confiscated - returnable at lunchtime or after school. No arguments.

It works.

Bravo for your daughter's school! That should be the case in every school, except that I'd eliminate the lunchtime return.

That works well in my son's school too. I can't fathom why it's not enforced in more schools.

I don't think there is a quick fix for Entitlement culture. My firm belief is that we incubated it and gave it a great upbringing through a culture we developed of Abdication and Substitution

As we allowed our society to drop into decay making it a place we feel is unsafe, un-fulfilling and poorly educating our children, we also often allowed the same in our homes. Instead of providing the protection the child needs, give them a cellphone, call if there is a problem. Instead of being there for their questions and concerns we say, call a friend, check on Google, I'm busy now. Kids survive despite our parenting short comings, The resultant personality quirks like any other mess up take a lot more effort to repair. Add a poorly structured code of ethics and you have modern America, South Africa, France... yes we all live by the good old code of ethics founded by the TV soapies.

In a nutshell we abdicated our parenting roll to modern technology and poorly trained teachers. Start being a parent again and some of the ills we created may well subside in the next generation. If you can't afford the time with your child, you just proved your preference of money/greed over family life. You want the best for your kids, give them your best time! Get rid of the TV and video games spend time with them. Do you even know what there interests are? Instead of sending them on summer camp, take them yourself. You don't know how to pitch a tent..... don't worry the kids will sms a friend to find out how!

When last did you act with constructive discipline when your kid was behaving outside the moral standards you prefer. For some parents I fear the kid will probably never sink as low as them, the children have seen through the muck and have set higher standards for themselves.

In essence there is absolutely nothing wrong with a child being exposed and indeed encouraged to use the latest technology to grow and develop their skills. Just don't abandon your child to the technology instead of parenting them. To all the teachers out there; there is a special place in heaven for you. Thank you for putting up with the crap you do from today's kids. You shouldn't have to.

We bailed out of high flying city life and took our kids to the bush when they were 6 & 8 yrs old. Sent them to the most disciplined school we could afford and made sure they had the best computers available....to work on, not play! When they came home it was to nature and outdoor activities that challenged then every da. Today @ 24 the eldest is the General Manager of an International NGO doing his best at developing new Medical IT for the third world. He got his first degree at 18. The younger (22) is head of design (3D CAD) for the biggest importer and distributor of sound equip in Africa and a pro drummer. My wife and I take parenting seriously as I know many other people do. The reward for happy kids that have grown into great adults is unmatched by anything short of God's love.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I will say that the school I work for has finally developed a cohesive plan after outraged teachers banded together. We came down like gangbusters on any cell phone use in the classroom, library, or lunchroom as soon as school opened and confiscated any one that we saw. It was sent to the office to be picked up at the end of the day.

So far, I haven't had to confiscate any, but I also had a talk about it with all of my classes at the beginning of the year and asked them not to make me have to deal with it. I will still have a student who asks permission to use the phone because his or her parent is calling every once in a while, but beyond that, usage has either become much more covert or has decreased significantly. It has taken an oath that all teachers handle the issue in a uniform manner and that makes it easier on everyone. I am sure many still text in their pockets, though. They are that good at it.

I am glad that everyone went this route with the comments, because next week's entry will address much of your opinion and the proposals that you make. Sorry that I can't respond more fully to each comment, but while the school I work at is supportive of my continuing my CR4 presence during certain parts of my day, I do not want to abuse that freedom.

Keep the comments coming!!!

One of my friends was an industrial arts (shop) teacher. Years ago he had a kid in his class who was always causing trouble. (This can be dangerous around shop equipment, of course.) He eventually got so fed up that he grabbed the kid by the back of the neck and physically threw him out of the shop room. (The teacher was a big guy!) Several years after that I worked with a young apprentice tool maker who told me about being grabbed by the back of his neck and thrown out of the shop class by the teacher, my friend. He said it helped straighten him out and made him more respectful so he was able to learn. This young apprentice turned out to become a top notch tool maker. Without that discipline, who knows what might have become of him.

I read recently of a teacher in a nearby school district who was fired for pushing a student.

Great story! Around 20 years ago I stopped a fight between two students by slapping one of them when he continued to ignore my orders to stop. It worked instantly! Unfortunately I'm not a big guy, so I could not have physically thrown either of them out... I never had any negative responses (once the incident was over) from either student, but I did get a negative entry in my professional record!.

That was one of many problems that led me to retire from teaching at the earliest possible age. I've never regretted that decision, except when I think there might have been something I should have done to change the system. I'm not into politics, so that thought never lasts long when it does occur!

Many kids know they won't face any discipline at home if they cause problems at school. Too many parents now seem to think they are helping their kids by not backing up the teachers and siding with their kids. Either that or they are looking for a way to sue the school and get rich.

Here in our little redneck part of the world I have sons in both Elementary and Middle school neither of which allow cellphone use on campus. Imagine the horror of being a kid and having to use a landline! And no, my sons don't have cell phones. Imagine this. They even have "screen time" limits (after schoolwork and chores) at home. I'm sure DHS will be at my door anytime now.

Just another example of society slowly decaying away.

Yeah I reckon it started down hill when they replaced the good old stone tools with bronze...
Del

Good thoughtful post dude...I liked the Wild West gun analogy....Welcome to the urban wild west.
Mrs Cat is away for a few days, and I find myself worrying about stuff that wouldn't normally bother me (whereabouts of grown up kids...)
We all need our worrybeads...I go and mess with my bows, and check up CR4, for the kids it's their cell phone.
Peace and chill (as my Big Sis) would say.
Time for tea and toast.
Del

GA, Standarded. Great observation, one I have seen too many times myself.

My first job was working in a grocery store, where I worked in the various departments. Nothing was more irritating than the situations you described - people rudely telling me to wait, or holding up my lines, or never once acknowledging me.

When I worked in the deli department, I refused to wait on people who were on their cellphones. I ignored them until they were ready to talk to me like a normal person, not just order me around like a robot.

The abundance of disrespect shown by so many people today is baffling and sad. But, I am slightly grateful for the experiences in the grocery business, as I know that I would never want to be that person. Also, most conversations people have on their phones in public are inappropriate and weird. There are just certain things that I don't want to know about the stranger I'm standing behind in line!

I was once waiting in line and the person at the desk, picked up the phone which was ringing and said 'I'm sorry I'm dealing with customers, you'll have to wait or ring back' Hoorah!
I hate telecoms <spitttzzzz ftzzzzz hissss...exits monitor left sideways, all fluffed up>
Del

Just wondering....

How expensive are signal blockers? I know that in some theaters and some restaurants, those are installed to provide some peace and quiet. Couldn't schools use the same technology to remedy this?

Bulls-Eye....was wondering the same thing, and thought maybe someone would have insight as to - why not?

They are there to learn, there are no rights (in my mind) being violated in any way

I know that I'm teaching my 2 teenagers (15 & 17 but only the oldest has one as she works and can pay for her plan) that cells are very disruptive and won't allow them to be turned on while we're at the dinner table (or restos/theaters, etc)...

We actually signed a "rules and regulation" (code of conduct) paper from the school stating that we all agree that any electronic gadget found to be disruptive to the classroom would be confiscated for the day and repeat offenders could see them confiscated 'til the end of semester....the paper was read and signed by both the student and the parent(s).

At least in NY, signal blockers are illegal in public areas and since most schools are public schools, they fall under that domain. Theaters, restaurants, shops, and malls are private property, so they can install them if they wish.

I was actually asked to look into that by our principal last year and see if I could find something cost effective.

I actually address this in more detail in this week's coming blog (Part III).

For balance you may consider Designated Phones.

I imagine a transfer that allows important calls from parent to child to be received and proffered.

When I had a cell phone, I had it for work, and emergencies.

I'm out-of-the-loop as far as text messaging. I used to look out of the window and daydream or draw pictures. I do recall having been outraged when a teacher intruded on my drawing in an insulting way, simply because for the entire time I had attended that class (and most classes) I had always felt that I was in the invidious position of being an unwilling auditor to a private conversation between the teacher and her(his) chosen few. Don't pretend that that isn't often the case. Possibly many students simply feel that it's less rude to do something else than to eavesdrop.

Entitlement culture. Largely in developed countries -- especially America. If you've ever spent any length of time in a less developed country around folks who have less, you get somewhat adapted to their perspective. Upon returning to the "civilized" world, the Americans you cross paths with in transit back to America often seem rude and overbearing. It's the entitlement attitude. (This is only being amplified by our communications culture, which says, I'll get back with you when I feel like it. Or worse, you never talk to a person only an automated answering system.) I hope these tools will actually start waking people up to see what they are doing to our society.