Electronics in the classroom

By Kaye Coholan

Should students use their cell phones during class?

For some University of Calgary professors, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

Cindy Graham, instructor for the department of biological sciences, uses an interactive software program that encourages students to participate in class using their cell phones and Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

In large biology lectures, Graham previously used a clicker system where students use specialized hardware to remotely input data, such as their responses to a question.

But last summer Graham started to look for alternatives. It was then that she came across Top Hat Monocle, a classroom response system that enables classroom interactivity using the electronic devices students already own.

Unlike many clicker systems, it uses a virtual platform where students can use text-enabled cell phones and wireless devices.

Graham said it is easier to set up and run in the classroom.

Top Hat Monocle, a program released by two University of Waterloo students in September 2010, is based on the premise that most students own a cell phone or other wireless device.

“The first thing we did was go to the universities, trying to figure out if there was demand,” said Top Hat Monocle ceo Mike Silagadze. “We found out that how to keep students engaged is probably one of the most prominent issues right now. “That’s when we realized there’s actually a market for this.”

Previously-used systems required students to purchase a clicker device for around $30 plus the cost of a subscription. Top Hat Monocle charges students $20 per semester to subscribe or $38 for five years.

Shazia Dharsee and Jeel Shah responsed to a practice question via text in their biology class. The students agreed they preferred to use their phones over the clickers because they already own phones and don’t mind carrying them around.

“You don’t really forget your phone,” Dharsee said.

The Top Hat Monocle software can be used to take polls, quizzes, attendance, and to tally grades.

“We’ve been doing this for about a year and a half now and we have a pretty decent amount of data showing that it improves grades and improves attendance,” Silagadze said.

But what about those who argue that these electronics serve as a distraction to students?

Though Silagadze concedes that personal devices may be distracting in class, he argues that they are just one of a number of factors that contribute to classroom engagement.

“You could write a bad text [book] and teach improperly from it,” he said, adding that professors should embrace rather than ban electronic devices. “The cell phones are there, there’s nothing you can do about it. The proper approach is to use these things in the classroom rather than ban them.”

As far as the U of C goes, the Gauntlet reported in March that the university was attempting to establish an across-the-board electronics policy that would dictate whether students could use their personal devices in class.

However, such a policy never came to fruition, according to vice-president academic Ola Mohajer. “Basically we decided that there wasn’t really a way to do it,” she said. “It’s really hard to be able to look at all the different ways that electronic devices can be used in a classroom and decide what’s appropriate and what’s not, because there’s such a wide array.”

The issue, which was addressed by the Academic Programs Committee, was diverged to the non-academic misconduct policy. “So if a student was listening to loud music in a classroom and it was disrupting their peers, it would be tagged under the non-academic misconduct policy,” she said, adding that infractions under the non-academic misconduct policy do appear on a student’s record, but only temporarily.

“The only thing that has come out of this is a few clauses that professors can add to their course outlines regarding how they want electronic devices used in their classrooms.”

Mohajer is hearing that professors and students are looking for more “rigidity” so they can better know what to expect.

“There’s definitely more to be done since electronic device use will fall under non-academic misconduct, which is being reviewed and revised this year,” she said. “I anticipate there will be more clauses added on the misuse of devices in the classrooms.”

Graham said that so far she has been satisfied with Top Hat Monocle. “My students have responded very positively to this program,” she said. “The response rate in my classes is far above the previous system and I have had far less student complaints and problems.”

Classroom response system Top Hat Monocle is being used by 50 universities across Canada and the United States this year. 20 professors at the U of C are currently using the program.

Though the U of C does not have a specific policy on the use of electronics in lecture halls, there is a limit to the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices that the university’s wireless network can support one at a time.

This new technology may lead to challenges as far as increased demand on the university’s Wi-Fi coverage.

“When the university decided to bring in this program with certain professors, the IT department was interested and had some concerns that in larger lecture theatres that hold 100 or more people, the internet coverage might not be quite up to the task of dealing with all the students,” said U of C media relations Grady Semmens. “So far they haven’t had any negative feedback from the professors, saying that it’s not usable or not working right, but they’re certainly watching it and trying to get feedback from professors if any upgrades need to be made.”

To overcome this, students are encouraged to use their cell phones to engage in classroom activities. “If there are going to be problems, they are getting around it by having the students use text messaging,” Semmens said, adding that upgrades may be necessary to increase the density of the wireless network, particularly in large lecture halls.

“it had some concerns at the outset, but they think it’s a great use of technology overall,” said Semmens.