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Should Schools Ban Mobile Phones ?
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Mobile phones have changed the way we communicate, but people disagree on whether the devices are useful tools for education. Students can be easily distracted by their phones during class. Are they listening to the teacher or texting their friends? Are they taking a picture of a quiz to cheat? Maybe they are playing a game, or watching a video, instead of paying attention. School officials, teachers and parents all are trying to find out the best way to supervise students’ use of mobile or cellphones. In the Canadian province of Ontario, officials are restricting phone use during teaching time. However, there are exceptions for classroom activities, health and other emergencies. France passed a law in 2018 banning the use of cellphones in schools for students up to age 15, the age when they go to high school. Last July, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law. It says state public and charter schools can ban students from using smartphones in class and at school. It does not, however, say schools are required to completely ban the devices. The law asks school districts, charter schools and education offices to develop cellphone policies to prevent, or limit students’ use of the devices at school. There are exceptions, which include emergencies or issues related to health and well-being.
One high school, in California’s Silicon Valley area, had a serious problem with students and their cellphones. Joanne Sablich, a French teacher, said students using their phones in class had been a real problem. They were “checking their phones and texting-- going on social media,” she said, and she would have to take the phone “over and over and over." The schools vice principal, Adam Gelb, said some students were spending as much as 11 or 12 hours a day on their phones. So, the administration turned to technology for answers. San Mateo High School now locks up cellphones during the day in a special container. Each student must put their phone away in a small bag with a magnetic lock. It is called a Yondr Pouch. At the end of the day, students unlock the bag with another device. The bag is being used in schools in both the United States and Europe. The cost for the equipment is around $20,000 a year for a school, or $12 for each student. Teacher Joanne Sablich is happy. She sees a difference in students’ behavior. She said they are “very engaged this year,” instead of just looking at their phones. Other schools are choosing simpler answers to the problem—they ban cellphones in classrooms. One of these schools is Forest Hills school district, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. School officials decided this school year to ban cellphones throughout the day, including at lunch. Dan Behm is the superintendent of the district. He told the publication Education Week the reason why district officials put the ban in place. They “wanted to provide a clean break for students and not have the frenetic energy that can happen if kids start texting each other or social-media posts start going,” Behm said.
I think schools should cooperate with parents to deal with this problem. Banning ist not a good solution but restriction is.
Very useful both the history text and the quiz.
I agree with the last teacher that cellphones could work together with the teacher for the improvement of classes.
This is a wonderful idea with all the kids or teacher I agree that the teacher who has decided to stop by chatt student inside the class room