Banning of Cell Phone in Classroom ESSAY A lot of students use their cell phones in class? ETC is looking at banning cell phone use in the classroom. Is this a good idea? Cell phones have become an integral part of modern society, and increasingly common among young people. With the popularity of cell phone use among students comes the plan by ETC that cell phones should not be allowed in the classroom. Truly speaking, educators might see that cell phones are disruptive to the learning environment and can lead to negative behaviors such as cheating on exams. That is why all secondary schools in Port Vila, Vanuatu, have now banned students from using their mobile phones on school premises 1. And in France, in December 2017, the French Parliament enacted a cell phone use ban for students 15 years old or younger 2. However, cell phones can help enrich and become a useful educational tool in that it supplements teaching instructions. Below is an overview of positive and negative aspects concerning the use of cell phones in the classroom and whether banning cell phone use is an appropriate thing to do. Together with the advent of more broadband providers, there comes more and more entertainment websites, offering better opportunities for people to watch online movies or to play online games. Then by the arrival of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, HBO etc., watching films and TV shows has become easier. There are even many legal sources that provide free movies, TV shows, and legal music3. Many of these websites also have free movie apps so you can access the free movies on your mobile device 4. These utilities provide easier access to private entertainment. It is always a temptation for people to see a live fashion or music show or to see what happens to a movie character that was in an interesting movie late last night. 1 http://www.loopvanuatu.com/vanuatu-news/vanuatu-students-banned-using-phones-school-72865 2 Ban student cellphones in Mass. public schools. [Last accessed on 6 May 2018]. Available from: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/editorial/ci_31627505/ban-student-cellphones.html 3 https://www.thebalanceeveryday.com/watch-free-movies-online-1356647 4 Ibid. 1 Banning of Cell Phone in Classroom Being glued to cell phones lessens face-to-face interaction, which is very important for a classroom environment. Worse, a study conducted by Washington and Lee University in 2013 linked heavy texting and sleep problems in college freshmen. If students do not achieve eight hours of sleep, certain cognitive functions, such as learning and memory, can start to decline in performance5. Texting is also distracting. Cell phone is nothing but a distraction at work and school. When it goes off in a student’s pocket, it’s “instinct” to check it right away, or rather a habit. Viewing the messages leads to the student ignoring the assignments he or she should be doing6. To a lesser extent, ring of cell phones also make distraction to the classroom. Worst of all, cell phones may lead students to cheating during tests. The number of students cheating on their NCEA exams went up in 2015 compared to 2014, according to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's (NZQA) report, in which of 305 students investigated, 290 were caught cheating7. Using cellphones was also the most popular method of cheating in 2014, when 116 pupils caught using or in possession of phones 8. Out of the negative aspects that are given above, cell phones should be allowed in classrooms for many reasons. They are good for education, communications, among other things. Use of cell phones as a participation tool and resource device: Even studying at ETC proposes constant Internet access: “Enable ETC’s Moodle mobile app will allow you to (1) Take quizzes and submit assignments on the go as well as (2) Access your material offline 9. 5 http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/10/spopinion-cell-phones-are-a-new-source-of-addiction-in-college-students 6 http://kscequinox.com/2017/04/cell-phone-addiction-among-college-students/ 7 http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Publications/stats-reports/ncea-annualreport-2015.pdf, pg. 100 8 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11666204 9 http://moodle.ETC.ac.nz/ 2 Banning of Cell Phone in Classroom Use of cell phones as an organizational tool: ETC’s website also indicates: “Receive notifications and messages on your phone. 10” As discussed, what we should do is to allow use of cell phones in the classroom and to ensure appropriate use and that it stays academic. A fine is imposed in case of violation by students, if any. Teachers will set agreements and then impose consequences of misuse with students from the beginning. We should also gradually but firmly establish a level of mutual respect between teachers and students and among students them selves. Students are supposed to be trusted. We are to be held accountable for the things we do. To the students who can actually focus on their work while given the privilege to use their phones, this is more helpful than damaging. Although the use of cell phones can be a distraction in classroom, they can also be a reliable source of support to us. The use of modern smartphones can be both freeing and enslaving at the same time. They allows us the freedom to gather information, communicate, and socialize in ways only dreamed of before the discovery of cellular technology. At the same time, however, smartphones can lead to dependence and unhealthy habit addiction. 10 3 Ibid. Banning of Cell Phone in Classroom Acknowledgments Works Cited (contents below are given as an example. Actual citations will be indicated by 18 May). Alavi, S. S., Ferdosi, M., Jannatifard, F., Eslami, M., Alaghemandan, H., & Setare, M. (2012). Behavioral addiction versus substance addiction: Correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3 (4). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287515141?accountid=10730 Brean, Joseph. “Why This Ontario Family Ditched Their Smartphones so They Could Live for a Year like It’s 1986 - Mullets And all.” National Post News Why This Ontario Family Ditched Their Smartphones so They Could Live for a Year like Its 1986 Mullets Andall Comments. N.p., 9 June 2013. Web. 07 Oct. 2013. Brian, S. J. (2013, Sep 02). Two days with no phone. Scholastic Action, 37 , 4-6. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1432704113?accountid=10730 Technology is everywhere--entwined in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With mobile and other wireless devices like the IoT becoming an increasing requirement across every industry today, it only makes sense that our schools are also effectively deploying mobile technology in the classroom. However, for many schools, implementing the latest technology is a difficult strategy to navigate. https://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/10-reasons-today-s-students-need-technology-in-the-classroom Rather than debating over allowing the use of cellphones, internet safety and digital citizenship should be a focus. As we teach to the future of tomorrow, holding on to traditional ideas does not provide a benefit. Using technology as the life-changing tool that it is and embracing it as a gift for schools will ultimately better prepare students for life. http://inservice.ascd.org/teaching-digital-natives/ Canada’s largest school board reversed a four-year ban on cellphones and now lets teachers dictate what works best for their classrooms, while a board in Quebec has gone so far as to distribute tablets to all students in Grade 5 and up while maintaining a permissive 4 Banning of Cell Phone in Classroom smartphone policy. http://www.macleans.ca/society/technology/should-schools-welcomecell-phones/ 5
