Many teachers would be mortified to find that their bad day or angry rant was captured on a student's cell phone and then put on the Internet for all to see. Students increasingly carry their cell phones to class. If they see something interesting, they pull it out and take a photo or make a short video. Some students are very sly in how they hide the camera.
Teachers Find Themselves on YouTube
Google “angry teacher” and over a million results pop up on the screen. The first results are generally YouTube videos. They are shocking to watch. Many have thousands of text comments. Students, parents or anyone can view these.
Cindy Long reports that “... anyone may be armed with a cell phone camera and all the world’s a stage, including your classroom, " In the NEA Today in the article "Smile! You're on YouTube" [October 2008].
Long reports that a former Teacher of the Year was playing a prank where he was pretending to be napping, and it ended up on YouTube. The student removed it after parents viewed it and a big fuss was made in the media. Luckily, the principal backed the teacher and did not reprimand him. However, many will not be this lucky.
Website Features Seven Scariest Teachers
The website Cracked actually features YouTube's Seven Scariest Teachers. Number Seven is labeled “Mr. Dial a Douche.” In it, the teacher hears a cell phone ring and then takes it and smashes it to the floor as he continues teaching. Overtime Comedy even gives a little write up and opinion about each teacher along with the angry rant or breakdown as a YouTube video.
Interestingly, some of the text responses from viewers are in support of the teachers. One “unkown” responder writes that kids deserve the treatment and hates the disrespect that students give to their teachers.
School Policy on Cell Phones in Schools
Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school? Many schools have policies against having cell phones in school. Some do not have any policies at all.
The National School Safety and Security Services websites reports that it received many questions about whether cell phones should be allowed in school due to the terrorist attacks or crises in school. The group opposes policies that allow or encourage students to have cell phones or pagers in school. Ringing phones disrupt the class, phones with cameras can be used to cheat or to take pictures in the locker room, and texting is used for cheating as well. In addition, texting contributes to school rumors and fear.
Now, students use them to capture what is happening in the classroom. The use of cell phones in school is difficult to stop even if there is a policy in place. Students keep them hidden and try to sneak and use them.
Teachers need to remember that students do carry cell phones, and they can hide them well. Do not do anything in the classroom that would not be appropriate for anyone to see. If a student is causing a disruption and a confrontation ensues, send him or her into the hallway so that both the teacher and student may cool down. If not, the ugly incident may end up on YouTube.
Other relevant articles: Middle/High School at Suite 101
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