Technology has progressed profoundly in the last few years, like Alexa and the concept of self-driving cars. There is one thing that is everywhere now: cell phones. From the workplace to your house, someone can be seen with one. Our schools are another example. Around 97% of high school students own one! However, these devices have been a major topic of discussion for school officials. On August 28th, the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors enforced a stricter cell phone policy. This policy allowed cell phones only at certain times, like lunch or on your way to class. However, usage during class is no longer allowed. And not too many students or teachers like the change.
However, many adults agree with the Board of Directors, saying that they are a distraction to the learning environment at schools. Two scientists at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction lab asked 136 college students to take a brain function test. They were interrupted on their phones by a notification, which they were told had more info on the test. The control group scored 20% higher than the other. Still, the results were not that accurate. Even now, you cannot find anyone in college who cannot be distracted by their phone. Nonetheless, phones in schools are not always a terrible thing.
5th grade Humanitarians teacher Stevie Frank agrees that cell phones can be a great learning tool, saying, “You’ve got to teach the kids how to manage their technology and if we’re not going to do it in school, where’s it going to be done?” (“Cellphones in Schools: A Huge Nuisance and a Powerful Teaching Tool”) Schools are places to learn about the world and what is around you. Yet, they still acknowledge that phones can be a little distracting, and they have found ways around that. “Giving students the choice to disengage from their phones helps “get their buy-in,” Frank said. “They are like, ‘yup, I need to do that.’” (“Cellphones in Schools: A Huge Nuisance and a Powerful Teaching Tool”) Giving the students a chance to return to learning makes cell phones in class such a helpful tool.
As a student, I believe smartphones can be a helpful and time-saving tool. We used to use our phones in the classroom to fill out surveys. It was also a nice backup plan in case somebody left their computer home. Cell phones can have both positive and negative impacts in the classroom, depending on how they are used. So, should students be allowed to use phones in class, or should their use be restricted?