Smartphones cause a distraction in the classroom. The main argument for no cell phones is the distraction and the students’ lack of concentration. The phone distracts students through calls, text messages, and non-educational activities. Some students love a reason to take their attention away from a classroom lesson.
Smartphones allow students to cheat. The smartphone provides students the ability to look up anything. Thus, not permitting students to have phones in the classroom teaches them to learn what they need.
In the past, a student’s lunch time was for connecting with others in face-to-face conversations. Today, the smartphone takes away conversation between and among students. This takes away social skills, listening skills, and concentration skills. It also leads to cyberbullying.
Smartphones are Limited
More schools limit the use of cell phones in the classroom. Some schools have the students place their phones in a specified area, usually near the door. This is so there is no loss of classroom time. Thus, upon leaving the classroom, students can retrieve their phones.
Many teachers appreciate some restrictions on student phones. They don’t enjoy policing the usage or competing for the attention of the students. With some bans in place, student cyberbullying lessens, attendance improves, and engagement in classroom lessons improves. Students talk face-to-face with each other.
According to research from Rutgers University, “Cellphones are a major distraction. Even if the phone is not in use, students have difficulty recalling and keeping information because of the very idea that something can happen on their phone.”
Parents Fears
Opposition to no smartphones in school came from parents. Parents fear that they won’t be able to get in touch with students if there is an emergency. They also fear their child cannot communicate with them when needed. However, the president of the National School Safety and Security Services warns that cellphone communication during such an emergency can increase safety risks. “During a lockdown, students should be listening to the adults in the school who are giving life-saving instructions, working to keep them safe.” He explains. “Phones can distract from that. Silence can also be key, so you also don’t want that phone noise attracting attention.”
Students Adjust
With a district-wide policy for cell phones in the classroom, students adjust to the phone not being in their possession. It eliminates cyberbullying or inappropriate use of social media. Students listen and learn in the classroom.
There is no perfect policy for cell phones in the school. Making sure that teachers educate students and parents about good habits with the use of technology is important.
