Ontario’s new premier has decided that from now on schools are permitted to use cell phones if it helps students learning. Many discussions have arisen from this new policy; some people are all for it while others are questioning the idea all together. As I see it I am not in favour of this concept and think that cell phones in class may even be more harm than help in schools: mentally, physically and economically.
Cell phones are a universal device, they are used for texting, calling , taking pictures and have many other applications. If the use of cell phones is allowed in classes it will just create another distraction for the students. In the article “Debate rages over cellphones in Ontario classrooms” teacher Royan Lee had his Grade 7 students brainstorming on iPhones and iPads about which books the class should read. The Richmond Hill teacher has a class set of hand-held devices and also invites students to bring theirs in for note-taking, research and personal organization. He said while one student is talking, the class can be having a “back-channel discussion” on Twitter about his comments, which is far more engaging than just sitting and raising your hand. I disagree with this method because even if you think the students are having a “back-channel discussion” doesn’t mean it is on the same topic; they might as well be making plans for the weekend or talking about something equally unproductive. For every text message, there are at least two kids not paying attention and sitting through a class with traditional distractions is hard enough already, without your blackberry receiving several texts every minute.
Not only is the urge to text an issue but also is the physical ability to stop. Some students are so attached to their phones that they cannot leave the room without it. One student last year claimed he couldn’t physically get his fingers off his BlackBerry and his parents admitted there was nothing they could do — “he texts at the dinner table too,” said his mother. Allowing cell phones is just another privilege that the students are given and it is just a matter of time that they start thinking they are allowed to leave classes when they feel like. Discipline must be held in place or soon there will be no control left over the children and this could lead to chaos.
This new guiding principle will not help students on their dependence of technology. If students are endorsed to have cell phones in class they will be on them day and night. In the morning when they wake up they will watch cartoons then go to school and there they will text and use their phones all day. Then they will go home to researching and type their homework on the computer, and between all that they will text their best friend. These students will become addicted to the use of technology that simple things like eating will be too boring without TV or the computer.
Having Phones in class will also not be helpful for students when they are developing people skills. If they are constantly texting people the students won’t be able to grow in their respectful talking and conversation abilities. If these students become accustomed to texting everyone everything when it is time to get a job the students won’t be used to socializing and presenting information. The ability to speak publicly is crucial to the students’ academic and social success. For example if you work at an office and your job requires you to make presentations if you don’t develop speech skills used in presentations you will not be successful. However, without cell phones in class the majority of students will learn to use confident body language, vocal emphasis, and logical debating techniques that will help them with presentations in the future.
Not every student in the school system is able to afford cell phones and if cell phones are needed for the school curriculum not having a cell would be an issue. In order for schools to provide phones that are intended for the students without a cell phone the schools would need to get more funding . If this was just an issue for one school in particular this would not be such a problem; the school could just host a fundraiser but since it is a board wide problem more drastic measures would need to be taken. Taxes would need to be increased or public schools would start charging tuition or fees for supplies as these cell phones.
Even if the board finds an applicable way to solve this accommodation problem there will always be a competition in who has the best cell phone, between the school accommodated one or the self bought . This is not healthy to be jealous for something as little as a phone and will create an atmosphere that everything is a competition. We can avoid these complications if cell phones are not allowed/encouraged in class.
Think about it , is it all worth it? There are all these difficulties to actually having phones in class , but is it’s value helpful? In the article a teacher named Del Banco said that Today’s students rely on their cell phones so much, when you tell them a test is coming up, they don't go to their notebook or agenda but to their cell phones. They don't use a stopwatch during labs, they use their cell phone as a timer, but is it really necessary to buy a cell phone for what a piece of paper can do, or for what a three dollar stopwatch can achieve? There are no valid benefits for cell phones in classrooms. A calculator on your phone is the same as the one you get free from the classroom and either way they aren’t permitted for the majority of the classes. If you have a phone with a calculator app and you use it you are technically cheating even if you are allowed to have a phone. Apps aren’t the only way of cheating in class; students can also text others within the school for help on tests . The ability to shoot video or capture pictures isn’t great either because they can be used to take embarrassing photos of students and teachers . Finally the only legitimate reason for having cell phones in class would be for the internet. This is still not a great gain compared to the losses because cell phone bills can add up fast with an internet plan. Nevertheless, it is a far better idea for students to carry around laptops because it has all the features that are useful in class and defeats the cons regarding texting and other distractions.
Not only is texting itself an issue but, it is proven that texting creates health issues. From scientific research, it is true that radiation from the phone can create tumours or cancer to the brain or ear. There are also other long-term damages that can occur; thumbs are affected because of their shortage of fine motor skills and can get nerve damage since thumbs and fingers were not meant to texting, and press buttons constantly. Not only are thumbs affected, but also is your long-term eyesight. After a long period, your eyesight is damaged when your eyes get strained too much. I always thought school should be about helping your future not hindering it.
Wrapping up, I think that cell phones should not be permitted in schools because they create more problems than they are worth. It is more reasonable if we use laptops or i-pads because they have everything that cell phones contain and more. Students are growing in an age were devices are ubiquitous and internet is ubiquitous meaning that policy makers are becoming more accommodating to the realities of the daily lives and because of that classes are now allowed calculators, laptops and cell phones. Well it sounds like if you cannot fight it might as well join it.
