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All of my current classes have fewer than 50 students, so it isn't difficult for me to keep an eye on all of them. I'm pretty clear at the beginning of each semester that I'm not to see a cell phone unless there's an emergency (I also specify that I'm to be made aware of any such emergencies prior to class starting).
One of the benefits of small classes is that we all get to know each other fairly well. Since many of my classes revolve around sharing thoughts/feelings about particular subjects (I teach Logic, Ethics and Metaphysics), conversations can occasionally get very personal. I'm fairly sure that students who would ordinarily text in class probably don't because they don't want to disappoint me (or be embarrassed if/when I call them out). They may not feel this way in classes where there is no personal investment (like Geography or Econ, for instance).
During tests, students are allowed to bring only pens/pencils and bluebooks, so texting during tests isn't a problem for me, either.
Cell phones weren't very prevalent when I was a TA, so I didn't have to worry about being on cell-phone-duty during large lectures. That would've sucked - my sympathies to those who have to deal with that now.
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Never let the facts stand in the way of a good answer. -Tom Magliozzi
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