I feel like I have already written on this topic before, but I have not been able to find it (I have not yet cataloged by blogs from 2017, let alone 2018 into an easily searchable format). My apologies to anyone who's currently thinking "Oh, no! Not this rant again."
This summer, a study was released demonstrating that cell phones are not only a detriment to the learning of the students using them, but also to students who are within an area around them (like second-hand smoke). Whether due to that study or the number of teachers complaining about the distraction that cell phones can cause, France banned the use of cell phones in all of its public schools. Other schools, districts, and teachers have taken similar stances on the use of cell phones within classrooms.
Me? I believe that banning cell phones is a categorically bad idea. Don't get me wrong; I believe that they cause distraction and that students who misuse them should receive consequences. However, that should not be done as a blanket proclamation against all students. Instead, students need to learn how to use this technology appropriately and responsibly. Schools are the safe environments where they should be able to learn how to use technology with minimal risk.
Smart phones (and whatever replaces them in the near future) are not going away. Instead of pretending that cell phones do not exist, educators should see them as the marvelous learning tool that they can be. Banning them removes schools yet one more degree from the reality that students are going to face. Rather, educators should leverage this technology and demonstrate to students how they can use smart phones on their journeys as lifelong learners.
I'm not saying that this will be easy. It requires educators to move out of their comfort zones and continually learn more about this rapidly changing technology and how they can use it. Those educators and schools who have managed to do so are often lauded for the amount of learning their students have achieved.
We are in an age of wonders. It has its difficulties and growing pains, but it also has the potential to make the world a better place. Schools cannot afford to stick their heads in the sand and hope that it will go away for they are more likely to be replaced than cell phones are.
This summer, a study was released demonstrating that cell phones are not only a detriment to the learning of the students using them, but also to students who are within an area around them (like second-hand smoke). Whether due to that study or the number of teachers complaining about the distraction that cell phones can cause, France banned the use of cell phones in all of its public schools. Other schools, districts, and teachers have taken similar stances on the use of cell phones within classrooms.
Me? I believe that banning cell phones is a categorically bad idea. Don't get me wrong; I believe that they cause distraction and that students who misuse them should receive consequences. However, that should not be done as a blanket proclamation against all students. Instead, students need to learn how to use this technology appropriately and responsibly. Schools are the safe environments where they should be able to learn how to use technology with minimal risk.
Smart phones (and whatever replaces them in the near future) are not going away. Instead of pretending that cell phones do not exist, educators should see them as the marvelous learning tool that they can be. Banning them removes schools yet one more degree from the reality that students are going to face. Rather, educators should leverage this technology and demonstrate to students how they can use smart phones on their journeys as lifelong learners.
I'm not saying that this will be easy. It requires educators to move out of their comfort zones and continually learn more about this rapidly changing technology and how they can use it. Those educators and schools who have managed to do so are often lauded for the amount of learning their students have achieved.
We are in an age of wonders. It has its difficulties and growing pains, but it also has the potential to make the world a better place. Schools cannot afford to stick their heads in the sand and hope that it will go away for they are more likely to be replaced than cell phones are.
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