Phones away please…If I see it, smell it, or sense it, it’s mine!
Yes, I claim that I can smell my students’ cell phones just to keep them on their toes (or rolling their eyes). Is anybody out there still reading from debate #1? Today’s cell phone debate created such engaging and, at times, heated discussions. At the end of it, all points made were well-researched and valid in their stance. Let’s get into it!
Pro Side
From my experience and where I stood with the pre-vote, this side had some work to do if they were going to try and sway me! Their three main arguments were very clear, cell phones create unnecessary distractions, they distract from academic performance, and they are used inappropriately during class time. In one of the introductory articles for this debate, it was interesting to hear that some people believe cell phones are wreaking havoc on a student’s ability to learn.
The debaters include facts from a great video which explained the best results for students learning and success came from having students physically separated from their phones. Students interviewed in the Too Many Texts video also recognized and admitted that using their cell phones in class hindered their ability to get work done and created more homework for themselves. Finally, it was discussed that teachers are spending too much of their time asking students to put their phones away or “catching” them on social media, playing games, changing music, etc. instead of completing the work they have been assigned. These (no doubt) realities are swaying government officials across Canada to consider or already implement cell phone bans in schools.
Against Side
I know in the debate that I made some points that sat more with the pro-banning side, but I truly was and still am on this side of the debate. I just like bringing all sides to the table, what can I say?! However, despite not having to convince me, these debaters still did a fantastic job and had many fact-driven arguments. I want to comment on just a couple of ideas brought up. Should teachers be allowed cell phones, safety at school, and the potential benefits we would be taking away with a cell phone ban. The first point is one I did not even consider before hearing the debate. In a cell phone ban, teachers would need to model that as well, meaning their devices should also be banned. I use my phone daily in the classroom to communicate with staff, admin, or use a quick timer or sound effect as a management tool. This side provided an article that explains how teacher responsibility of using their device is a huge deal and I agree with it. But, if I am modelling how to be responsible with my device at school, shouldn’t my students get a chance to do that as well?
The next discussion was around student safety and while I think this point can be a bit of a “catch-22”, I do believe that students even having their device near them in emergent situations would bring more reassurance and comfort. To conclude, there was an argument made that cell phones can be used as a tool in the classroom. Currently, I have 15 Chromebooks for 31 students. Without cell phones, I might as well leave the laptops in the corner because there just isn’t enough to go around. I have students who will use their devices to communicate with me on Edsby both in and out of school. They also feel it is faster and easier to access our Google Classroom or complete research on their own devices as well.
After all of this, where do I stand?
Ultimately, cell phones are something I do not think should be banned in the classroom. The only murky part of this debate today was when the group discussed the definition of banning. Because some places, like Ontario, are implementing “a ban” but it is not complete removal of devices across the board. I think there is a HUGE difference between complete removal and moderate usage depending on the age/grade.
The separation issues my student would have if they could not at least see their phone would be more than I would want to deal with day-to-day. I also like giving my students the opportunity to use it when they are done their work as there are just not enough school computers. I’d like to think that most of my students learn just a bit of a life lesson when their phones are taken away, sent down to the office, or reminders are given. Some situations may prove more difficult than others, however, I am still just fine with “sniffing” them out verses taking them away all together. Until the next one y’all!
3 thoughts on “Phones away please…If I see it, smell it, or sense it, it’s mine!”
I really enjoyed reading your post Ashlyn!
The pro side made strong points about distractions, academic performance, and inappropriate use of cell phones in class. The facts and student testimonials from the Too Many Texts video were pretty compelling. As educators, we can agree that these are real issues that teachers and students face daily.
On the flip side, the arguments against banning cell phones were also very well thought out. I hadn’t considered the idea that teachers would also need to ban their own devices to set an example. I disagree with this wholeheartedly though!
I agree with your conclusion. I would not support a complete ban but agree we need to find a way to moderate usage. It’s a tricky balance, but it seems like allowing some flexibility while teaching students responsible use is a practical approach.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Mariah! I agree that the Too Many Texts video was a great resource. It was an interesting experiment that they conducted in the video! I am interested in finding a way to try and use that idea in my classroom, but maybe connect it to numeracy concepts or something because it looked like it was enlightening for the kids!
I am going to hop over to your post to see if you explain disagreeing with teachers’ phones getting banned! Curiosity, is it that teachers do not need to put their phones away for example? Or that they shouldn’t have their phones banned if students do?
I like the idea of using a flexible approach!
Hi Ashlyn!
Your feedback on the cell phone debate is thoughtful and well-articulated, capturing both sides effectively. I agree that cell phones create unnecessary distractions, which hinder academic performance. The reference to the video “Too Many Texts” effectively underscored how students themselves acknowledge the negative impact of cell phones on their productivity. It’s insightful to mention how teachers often spend excessive time managing cell phone use rather than focusing on teaching. This point underscores the broader implications of cell phone use in the classroom beyond student distractions. Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts!