Halfway through the semester in his market research course at Roanoke College last fall, only moments after announcing a policy of zero tolerance for cellphone use in the classroom, Prof. Ali Nazemi heard a telltale ring. Then he spotted a young man named Neil Noland fumbling with his phone, trying to turn it off before being caught.
“Neil, can I see that phone?” Professor Nazemi said, more in a command than a question. The student surrendered it. Professor Nazemi opened his briefcase, produced a hammer and proceeded to smash the offending device. Throughout the classroom, student faces went ashen.
“How am I going to call my Mom now?” Neil asked. As Professor Nazemi refused to answer, a classmate offered, “Dude, you can sue.”
Let’s be clear about one thing. Ali Nazemi is a hero. Ali Nazemi deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
OK, so it had all been planned in advance. But still.
9 comments:
I really have issues with cell phones in general, even more so with students. They honestly cannot imagine being out of contact at any time. This simply reinforces the natural social limitations of the average teen. It is honestly scary to recognize how little students are able to talk to actual human beings face to face when they are connected at length to faceless voices on the phone or internet. I see them becoming increasingly introverted and isolated.
the immaturity in that last comment is beyond my reach.
teenagers and students of all ages deserve and should own a cellular device.
have you ever thought of your teenage years? how much they have advanced through the times. keg parties, and uncomfortable situations can and WILL COME UP in their lives,
a teenager's cell phone provides safety, when they are uncomfortable with their surroundings.
a wise man once told me-
"shake that laffy taffy"
anonymous, keg parties are not going to occur in my class. And when I was a teenager, they certainly weren't something I feared!
Perhaps if teenagers knew they'd be responsible for themselves, that mumsie or dadsie couldn't bail them out of every uncomfortable situation...it's a thought.
“Neil, can I see that phone?” Professor Nazemi said, more in a command than a question. The student surrendered it. Professor Nazemi opened his briefcase, produced a hammer and proceeded to smash the offending device. Throughout the classroom, student faces went ashen.
“How am I going to call my Mom now?” Neil asked. As Professor Nazemi refused to answer, a classmate offered, “Dude, you can sue.”
read the context and decide yourself who is doing the wrongful act.
just because some adolesents have cell phones, does not make them any less of a good student, or person.
having a cell phone does not make a big difference. sure, texting and calling people a lot. but anybody with a brain could do that without a cellular device.
Are you saying that people are texting and calling in class *without* cell phones? If not, I don't understand what you mean. If so, then I don't understand what you mean :-)
you wouldn't .
Oh, *burn*. Guess you told me.
Actually, your statement is devoid of logic. Please try to use words, in English, and piece them together, using standard English grammar, to form a *coherent* thought. That, Caroline W., is the essence of communication.
So try it again.
I'm sure you're very happy together.
as a matter of fact, marc,
i caught you cheating
on your diet
and our daughter had her phone confiscated yesterday because i sent her a very important text,
so she had detention yesterday after school
but i think i'm the one that needs some detention..
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