OUR VIEW: Mobile phones don’t need to distract and detract from classes

Today it isn’t uncommon to hear Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” or even “The Mexican Hat Dance” in classrooms.

However, these songs aren’t coming from a musical instrument or radio. They are the ring tones for cell phones.

Without fail, one mindless person forgets to turn off his cell phone during a lecture, or at least put it to vibrate, interrupting class much to the chagrin of the professor and students paying attention. The professor once again reminds the class cell phones are to be turned off or turned to vibrate and continues the lecture or discussion.

It sometimes seems telephones are veritable extensions to the human ear.

Keep in mind education is what is important at USU. Constant interruptions, especially by cell phones, are not welcome. Must college students be reminded school is for learning?

If a call is so important, the cell phone should be turned to vibrate. Is it so hard?

Life is already distracting enough without having the added “La Bamba,” “Simpsons'” theme song, Pachebel’s “Canon in D” and Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.”

If this is completely out of the question though, at least turn your phone to vibrate so the rest of us can get what we are paying for – an education.