Participation,+Courtesy+and+Electronic+Media

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In UHP seminars, participation is important. Seminar discussions allow students to become comfortable in articulating their thoughts and views in a safe context that the instructors manage. Seminar discussions also provide opportunities for students to learn to maintain courtesy, composure, and empathy as they learn that others have contrasting experiences and opinions. Productive discussions can only emerge in an atmosphere of courtesy, decorum, and attention. Attentive listening is key.

All UHP instructors consider participation when assigning grades. In assessing participation, I pay attention to several things. First is attendance. A student cannot participate in discussions unless he or she is physically present. Second is timely arrival. When students arrive late, they obviously miss any discussion that has already occurred. Furthermore, late arrivals often disrupt the flow of conversation as participants feel obliged to fall back, regroup, and reiterate points to get the tardy participant “up to speed.” As the instructor, I carefully note absences and late arrivals. I likewise encourage the senior teachers who partner with me to do likewise. In assessing participation points we are also attentive to participants’ readiness to speak, attentiveness during discussion, and courtesy towards one another during the course of discussion. Participation in online discourse is also a factor, particularly for students who have difficulty in overcoming their reserve in seminar discussions.

Another issue that is increasingly important emerges from student use of various electronic devices, cell phones and laptop computers mostly, but also PDAs and occasionally cd players, mp3 players or i-pods, and even radios. The prevalence of such devises has spread in recent years and the culture has not yet developed consensual standards of etiquette or courtesy as to when, where, and how we should use the devices. Since, as instructor, I provide guidelines for discourse in the seminar, it falls to me to create standards for using electronic media in the seminar room. Assessing the advantages and drawbacks of the devices, I have arrived at the following guidelines:

1) Cell phones should not make any noise loud enough to disrupt discourse. They can be “on” but should be set so as to make no noise louder than the miniscule hum of the “vibration” mode.

2) Students should not answer their telephones or read text messages that arrive during seminar sessions. Whispering cell phone conversations or texting responses to calls or text messages is absolutely out of the question.

3) Students may, on the other hand, consult their cell phones as regards to scheduling issues or to use “memo” functions in a limited fashion to make or consult notes. Students can also, with the instructor’s permission, use “smart” cell phones to access pertinent information via web functions. Obviously this does not include such things as checking social media. Cell phones must be put aside during discussions so that participant attention is centered in the seminar discussion and not on the cell phone screen.

4) Students can use recorders or record functions on cell phones or mp3 players to record seminar discourse. This must be accomplished without disruption or intrusion.

5) Students should otherwise turn off and stow mp3 players, cd players, and i-pods during seminar meetings. (Obviously, with the instructor’s permission, students can use the devices for seminar purposes.)

6) Students may open laptop computers to consult notes **//prior to//** discussions. Laptop computers must be put aside during discussions so that participant attention is centered in the seminar discussion and not on the laptop screen.

7) Students may use tablet computers and i-pad type devices up to 1” thick to take notes during instructor “mini lectures” and for assignment instructions. These devices must, like writing pads or notebooks rest flat on the table-top. Students may not use laptops with screens that project above the table top to take notes. Students with these devices must take notes on writing pads or notebooks to enter into the laptop after class.

8) Students can, with the instructor’s permission, use their laptops to access pertinent information via web functions.

9) Students may use Kindles, I-pads, E-reads, Sony PRS, Nooks or other e-book readers (not laptops) in lieu of textbooks in class. The devices should, obviously, show the assigned reading.

10) These guidelines apply, likewise, to the small “break-out” discussion groups we use to enhance and multiply discourse.

I will consider any violation of these guidelines to be a lapse in seminar courtesy. I will note this and consult my notes when assessing and assigning participation points.

I will monitor my cell phone for “emergency” texts from the UNM administration, police, etc.