To the Editor:
With the recent arrest of a student because she did not put her cellphone away fast enough in South Carolina, the conversation about electronics in the classroom is growing.
There really is a very simple, common-sense solution to the use of electronic communication by school students during lessons: Ban it.
I was a teacher years ago, before such phones existed, and frankly I could not imagine them in the hands of students while I was teaching.
But what I really am confused about is why teachers permit students to have phones in their classrooms. Despite all my son's whining, I made sure he never had a cellphone of his own until he left high school, which did not hurt him at all. We have a computer in the house which he can access to it most of the time but it's in the living area, so we can monitor him. If I were still teaching, all my students would have to leave their phones in a separate location upon entering the classroom, or be absolutely required to have them turned off.
Furthermore, students now are permitted to bring their laptop or the school would provide for those without. So, why do students still need phones? I know the chromebook or laptop have great learning potential, but you have to understand that these are teenagers! They are poor at managing themselves, and so it's better to let the teachers manage them, which means chromebook allowed but not personal cellphones. There really is no use. Without mentioning the disruptions and constant urge of checking their phones is really a problem and is affecting the cognitive function of students.
And for schools who permit students to bring their phones, I heard that teachers do not really care anymore if students are paying attention or surfing away with their phones. This is pathetic.
There is one simple certainty. No phones equals no problems of this type.
Problem solved.
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI hear you. But you might want to update yourself with the latest research done on banning smartphones might cause more harm than good.
First author Andree Hartanto, of the Singapore Management University in Singapore said: “A blanket restriction on smartphones in school is likely to be more harmful than beneficial, because smartphone separation triggers anxiety that, in turn, adversely affects students’ cognitive functioning.
Instead of banning smartphones entirely, allowing periodic technology breaks—during which students are allowed to use their smartphones—may lower their anxiety and thus be more effective in helping students regulate smartphone use and overcome their fear of missing out.
The schools would have to teach the students that they are the master of their gadgets, and not the other way round, banning smartphones is not a realistic expectation.
I totally agree with you on that but I in my opinion I think that they shouldn't be banned because they can also be a very useful learning tool like when you need to take a photo of your work and you cant use your laptop I know that sometimes students get caught on doing what there not ment to do but it still can be a great learning tool
DeleteHi, James,
ReplyDeleteWith the Respect, I don't think there's any basis in what you say. Students look at their phone might just want to look for the time, and you are so sensitive. If I am a teacher, I won't say that "all my students would have to leave their phones in a separate location upon entering the classroom, or be absolutely required to have them turned off." at all. Because of their parents can't find them if they have some urgent things which have to tell the students.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think that the school must have the reason why they allow students to bring their phone and laptop to school, it is not that terrible as what you say