Classroom Rules

Aside from the typical rules that normally follow classroom etiquette, I have a few additional rules that all students should abide by.

1. Time: Classes start on time. This includes labs, even ones starting at 8:30 am. I will not wait for people to arrive and nor will my TA. It is disrespectful to me, my TA, and the other students who do arrive on time. So respect everyone's time and be to class on time. If marks are being given out in a class and you have arrived late, you will not receive them. If you arrive late, depending on the time and our activity, I may simply ask you to leave.

2. Laptops, Tablets, Smartphones and MP3 Players: I fully respect that classrooms have changed over the years and it can valuable to use a laptop or another electronic device during class. For example, sometimes it can be helpful to look up terms, look at the course web page, take notes, etc. I am fine with you using your laptop for such purposes in class; however, while using it, you must still be paying attention. If I feel a music backgroud is essential to my presentation, I'll provide it. So please, no iTunes surfing whilst class discussion is underway.

If I find you using your laptop for purposes not related to the class, or on websites like Facebook, Twitter, Lavalife, Amazon, etc, I will ask you to leave the classroom. To police this, I will periodically walk around the room and check what you are doing. I will also have Facebook drills - if I say, Facebook, everyone must turn their laptops to face the front of the room. If you were using it for something non-class related, you can leave the classroom and face the embarrassment of your peers.

We will also have certain class days that will be laptop and electronics free. During these classes, you will not be allowed to use any electronics. We will devote a few minutes at the end of the class to analyze the class and how the lack of electronics impacted it.

Overall, I am a really nice guy - respect my classroom, and you'll find out.

© John Bowes 2012