Should Cell Phones Be Banned In The Classroom

THESIS: In today’s world, the phone often provides a primary source of access to both social support and necessary data for school and extracurricular activities,” Dodgen-Magee says. “To simply yank it away would be like taking away the support of a bridge with nothing in its place.”

The use of cellphones in school has brought up debates all over the world. While some believe they are an advantage, others believe that they are a hindrance to the learning process. Despite the fact that smartphones can be used for important school activity such as research and time- management, they are also one of the main sources of classroom distractions. As a current student, I can attest to the fact that students often play games or text friends instead of listening to what is being taught. Students often argue that they need their phones to listen to music because it helps them focus. This has been vigorously studied and the results vary, but are not fully supportive. Not only have students made arguments as why they should be allowed to use their phones in school, but parents have as well. Most parents are in support of the having phones in school because they want to always have a way to contact their child. One thing parents do not realize is the ways their children are misusing their phone. Teachers should not have to fight the distraction caused by cell phones in the classroom. The use of smartphones in school causes too many distraction and there is a multitude of ways this privilege can be misused.

People all around the world have many electronic devices, and there are abundant amounts of freedom that come with them. There are so many different technologies to choose from, but one that seems to be quite common among people of all ages, are cell phones. Such technology is great for many uses, but it is not always appropriate in certain settings. The principal at my school has adopted a new policy that bans the use of cell phones during school hours. I support my principal’s decision. Cell phones can be distractions in many ways to students during school. They can cause conflicts between fellow students and between students and teachers. Allowing cell phones during school hours also basically gives students permission to not pay

According to Lenhart, in 2012 three quarters of teens, ages 12-17, owned cell phones. Of those teens, twenty three percent of them indicated they possessed a smartphone. With the technology advancing in cell phones, it has become yet another classroom distraction and a serious concern for cheating. With cell phones on hand, it has created an easy way to become distracted during class. Assistant Professor Campbell from the University of Kansas brought to attention, “one study found that a third of university students in the US play video games on their mobile phones and laptops during class (Gilroy, 2004 as cited in Katz, 2005).” The majority of researchers have found that mobile phones have lead to problematic use in the school environment

Many people believe that bringing cell phones to school may cause distractions. However, a recent study leads more and more people to believe that mobile phones could in fact be a “powerful learning tool” (Docksai), serving as a mobile computer ("Cell Phones in the Classroom” ). Elizabeth Hartnell- Young, a research fellow from the University of Nottingham tracked 331 students from 14 to 16 years old, for learning through cell phones. They used cell phones to make short videos, set homework reminders, record poems, and transfer files from home to school (Docksai). Students described their learning experience as “motivated” (Docksai). Many experts pointed out that students have a “deep comfort level” with mobile phones (Docksai). In other words, students could learn more if they enjoyed what they were doing. An increasing number of teachers have changed their point of view towards cell phones, many now believe that cell phones would exert positive effects on education. For example, some teachers have already started to collect homework online and answer questions through text- messaging. A school in Saskatchewan encouraged students to read and share thoughts about books through their cell phones (Docksai). Furthermore, according to a recent survey, the majority of students could refrain from using cell phones and not be distracted by them in class. In fact, over 71% of students didn’t

diFilipo says, “The smartphone is nothing more than a laptop that doesn’t fold in half. Students can use Excel and read long, complex documents on their phones.” This shows how students have information at their fingertips and professors should use it to their advantage. In addition, Murdock explains how smartphones in the classroom add an inherent ability for collaboration and engagement by involving interactions, such as classroom polls and games on websites. Murdock and diFilipo both agree that in order to include phones in classrooms, professors have to ensure their Wifi is strong and check with students first. Overall, cellphones are a huge part of students’ lives and professors should incorporate them into their lessons to boost collaboration and improve

Many teachers believe that cell phones don’t belong in a classroom because there are several disadvantages. An example maybe a student who uses a cell phone in class has no intension in listening or paying attention to the teacher. This student has a short attention span who cares about socializing more than his/her education. Cell phones can be very disruptive; they can invade people’s privacy and can also be used as harassment or bullying. The usage of cell phones is creating a huge problem particularly when they are used in school.

Technology is everywhere. In people’s homes, public areas, and in teenagers’ hands. Cell phones have become a part of teenagers’ lives and cannot be taken away. As technology evolves, teenagers feel the need to have the latest phones to “fit in” or feels pressured into having one. Students bring their cell phones everywhere with them, including school where notifications or ringing disrupts in class. Cell phones could be a helpful source of information and communication. However, cell phones in school and in classrooms cause many problems. Schools should ban cell phones because it is too much exposure, it is disruptive, and students can cheat easily with the use of technology.

Throughout the last couple of years a major world wide debate has been if students should have smart phones. It has been said that cell phones have been very helpful to not only the students but some of the teachers as well. The podcast states “But these devices are being integrated into lessons.”(00:18) These devices can be just as helpful during class then after class. Many students need the cell phones to do calculations, research, show up on time, and to keep up with their schedules, buy parents also want their children to have cell phones so they can directly message them in case of an emergency and so they can just communicate with their children. Technology can be a powerful tool to help students learn and many students benefit each day from technology use. The podcast states “I feel like it is important for them to learn how to cope with having a powerfully addictive engaging device”(15:38) This teacher stated that he mostly teaches college bound 18 year olds, so this quote means that for these soon to be adults smart phones are a big responsibility step into becoming an adult. In short many teachers believe that smartphones are a big help and a big tool in the classroom and they help with the development of these students.

Cell phones are not just a source of entertainment anymore. The devices are used for a multitude of reasons—they benefit people every day. They assist everyone from adults, to children, to seniors, for whatever their needs may be. Safety, responsibility, and daily processes have been transformed by the additions the phone has brought to one’s daily routine. Others may say that phones bring only dangers and disadvantages to everyday life. The advantages of having a cell phone are unsurmountable compared to the disadvantages of the device.

Cell phones have good uses as well; they help us quickly get information to someone in an efficient way and they help us with everyday life. More adults end up relying on their phones for everyday life things rather than kids, because they have more responsibilities like working at home or working at the office while younger people mostly just use phones for all the apps or entertainment. There is probably an app for anything nowadays. “About 11% of adults have said that some sort of technology, cellphone or computer, has ended up increasing their use at the work place while 19% have said it has increased work at home.” (Wellman, et. al). It is not that shocking more people use their phones or computers at home for work more than in the office because people would rather be at home in a relaxing environment doing work rather than in a place they don’t feel as relaxed. Cellphones can also help us keep in contact with people far away and

in student cell phone use in class has led to a decrease in academic performance and satisfaction

With this in mind, a person is able to keep their credit card information, bank online, shop online, play games, watch videos, the list goes on. Students of all ages carry their mobile (smart) phones with them when they go to school to make phone calls, text message or simply just listen to music. It appears very few students engaged in modern education today are not equipped with a mobile communication device. For instance, take a walk through the quad and within 5o feet there is a probability of a half dozen or more people walking and talking or texting on the cell phone.

Another feature of smartphones is that we can use it as a safety tracking device and GPS. You could sleep over at your friend’s house and check in with your parents any time through facetime or any tracking app. As long as you have data or wifi, you can never be lost. The GPS feature allows you to look for directions at anytime,or anyplace, which is extremely useful for people who are travelling. Young people use these directional features in order to find food restaurants, coffee shops, or popular places to hang out or do homework. Smartphones can easily be pulled out to solve family feuds by googling any debatable questions.

It is only fair to point out that smartphones are making our lives easier. They make us more organized by saving all our contacts, making as many notes as possible, setting our alarm and reminding us of any important appointments or meetings. They help us stay connected by social media applications and they are used for amusement and entertainment by saving all our music and video collection and games to access whenever we please.