Teaching & Learning Specialist | collaborative | empathetic | diligent | progressive | intentional | optimistic
Sadly, these district and state-wide bans on cellphones are simply laughable. Easily, students can and do switch their diversions to their school-issued devices whenever they choose. Without a doubt, throughout the nation, schools are overwhelmed by the academic and social problems stemming from students’ use of electronic devices during school hours. I am a high school teacher who has been in the classroom since before cellphones were common, so I have witnessed it all first hand. Moreover, within different administrations and policies, I have repeatedly battled these problems with some victories and some defeats: but, it is always the teachers who have to be on the front line of the battle for hearts and minds. During instructional time, teachers have to constantly correct and redirect student behavior, which is impairaed by digital distractions, while they magically and mindfully find sufficient energy and time to instruct, cover content and assess students’ progress. Some things are going to be sacrificed— especially when teachers do not have backup from administrators and parents— because there is not enough energy and time for teachers to fight the battle while adequately doing the job of instruction. As a society, we have to change our mindset and prioritize the potential growth and joy of education, and we have to establish new cultural values for schools, teaching and learning. Parents have to instill and cultivate these values in children so that schools can do their part. We all have to create a new paradigm in which education is a primary human expectation and schools are socially relevant once more. Until that time, no policy or ban will keep students from seeking diversion and teachers will still be battling alone on the front lines.
The nation’s largest school district is poised to ban students’ cellphone use during the school day a few months into the 2024-25 school year. Watch this interview with the district's chancellor to get more insights about the forthcoming policy. #K12 #CellphonePolicy
