Should Students be Allowed to Have Their Phones in School?

[Creedmoor]

They're learning impulse control.

I say, "Mr. Smith, that's one. If I see your phone out again, then I take it."

Mr. Smith then learns to resist that impulse.

I always though teachers were there to educate our children.
There are enough distractions in todays world, all JH and HS kids have a locker to leave things in it that are not needed.
Cell phones are the biggest distraction that teachers deal with evey day.
Cell phones arnt needed at school.

A parent or guardian can simply call the school office if need be.

 

[Wabatuckian]

This was the policy where I was an aide for several years. I have posted before about running the In School Suspension class. Had a lot of students for this.
The problem is teachers and admin spends a huge amount of time over cell phone issues. Try taking a phone away from a student in a room full of their friends, girls or boys. You have wasted time, have arguments, and pandemonium. All which have happened to me.
Teachers who can't discipline? Again what happens when the student calls you a foul name and refuses to comply? Are you going to beat them? Wrestle the phone away? I have called the Resource Officer to the classroom over issues similar to this. They would rather be suspended, they can go home and play video games.Which is not the goal of education.
This disrupts the day for all the students. Especially for those who are focused, ready to learn who have a future planned.

In my room they were already in trouble for something, next stop was out the door. The Principal was very good with them and did everything possible not to send them out of the school.

Digital addiction is real. I am amazed at how deeply some are tied to their phones. I had a strict no phone policy in my room. It was turned off and put in a basket on my desk. Some days that was a fight in it itself. Had more than one turn in a phone playing music and try to wear ear buds at their desk. Have had them turn in phones only to find another in their pocket later.

My opinion is NO PHONES IN SCHOOL. in an emergency there are plenty of ways to call the office or admin. They can survive for a few hours without them.

Don

ISS is a little different. As you said, they've already messed up. Therefore, no phones.

I generally give this speech once per month:

"You're so big boys and girls. I can't make you learn; I'll teach, or give the teacher's lesson, but it's up to you to learn it."

"I'll warn you once. To error is human. However, if you keep disrupting class, I'm sending you down to The Blue Room. I can't make you learn, but I'll be damned if you're going disrupt those who want to learn."

I generally have no issues once I make my position known.

The schools at which I sub are pretty conservative. The teachers have a prayer meeting (voluntary, of course) before school in the library. I believe it's a weekly thing.

I used to write my name on the board, thus:

Mr. Smith
He/Him/His

I would know who was actually reading the board because I'd watch their faces.

Then, one day, someone didn't get the joke and sent a pic to his parents. The principal didn't see an issue with it and even less so when I told him what I was doing, but I stopped it because I didn't want any more misunderstandings that would disrupt the school.

I do this because I enjoy it, and don't want to rock the boat -- too hard anyway.

A lot of the troublemakers just want acceptance, too. The ones I originally had issues with are the ones who fist bump me in the halls.

You give respect, you get respect.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I always though teachers were there to educate our children.
There are enough distractions in todays world, all JH and HS kids have a locker to leave things in it that are not needed.
Cell phones are the biggest distraction that teachers deal with evey day.
Cell phones arnt needed at school.

A parent or guardian can simply call the school office if need be.

Impulse control is part of that education.

 

[Creedmoor]

Impulse control is part of that education.

Thats a parents job my friend.
Do you have children? If so how old are they.

 

[Wabatuckian]

So college kids with a part time gig?

Not necessarily.

At the schools I sub at, they're full-time adults who work with kids who have learning difficulties, either one-on-one or in small groups.

I thought about doing this when they had an opening, but that would leave me no time to run my businesses. I've subbed for paras before, and I honestly find it more rewarding than doing a whole class.

I'm mildly autistic, and, as such, probably understand these kids more than most other teachers or aides. I know what I went through in school, what I needed and didn't get, and so try to figure that out for today's students when I'm there. It's easier to do this in small groups.

I've thought about picking up a full-time aide position when one becomes available, but I have a main business and a side business to run, and have no idea how I'd do all that.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Thats a parents job my friend.
Do you have children? If so how old are they.

I have three kids.

My eldest daughter graduated high school at age 16 and moved out of her mother's house at that age.

My middle child is an autistic boy, age 15. Straight As. Impulse control and time management are his main challenges.

My youngest is a girl, age 9. She's consistently at the top of her class, and makes me stop helping her build things she's putting together because I'm never doing it fast enough or maybe made a couple mistakes. She just sees the picture and knows how it goes together.

Education in all things is the parents' job. But, too many parents don't do it today. Kids go home and immediately get on their devices until bedtime. One of the main issues my kids have with me is that everything comes before electronics at home, and electronics are only for when there's nothing else to do.

It's also difficult to teach your kids impulse control when they're away from you for eight hours.

School is for so much beyond learning reading, writing, 'rithmatic. They learn social aspects, and impulse control is one of those aspects.

 

[Creedmoor]

I

I have three kids.

My eldest daughter graduated high school at age 16 and moved out of her mother's house at that age.

My middle child is an autistic boy, age 15. Straight As. Impulse control and time management are his main challenges.

My youngest is a girl, age 9. She's consistently at the top of her class, and makes me stop helping her build things she's putting together because I'm never doing it fast enough or maybe made a couple mistakes. She just sees the picture and knows how it goes together.

Education in all things is the parents' job. But, too many parents don't do it today. Kids go home and immediately get on their devices until bedtime. One of the main issues my kids have with me is that everything comes before electronics at home, and electronics are only for when there's nothing else to do.

It's also difficult to teach your kids impulse control when they're away from you for eight hours.

School is for so much beyond learning reading, writing, 'rithmatic. They learn social aspects, and impulse control is one of those aspects.

I just don't agree, mine are both men that are 24 and 26 yrs old now. They were sent to a Military JH & HS. There was/is no cell phone problem distractions at that school today.
Problems were/are nipped quickly.

I don't believe its the teachers position to teach what ******/lazy parents don't teach.

When I was in public school, the distractions were looking out the windows, passing notes and being or laughing at the class clown of the day.
Phones belong it the students lockers.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I

I just don't agree, mine are both men that are 24 and 26 yrs old now. They were sent to a Military JH & HS. There was/is no cell phone problem distractions at that school today.
Problems were/are nipped quickly.

I don't believe its the teachers position to teach what ******/lazy parents don't teach.

When I was in public school, the distractions were looking out the windows, passing notes and being or laughing at the class clown of the day.
Phones belong it the students lockers.

That's the wonderful thing about this nation: We're free to disagree.

At the schools I sub at, iPads are used for most learning. The kids can get on YouTube and whatever with those, too, though they can also be locked out if needed.

As a parent, my kids have devices. They have phones. These phones are not on any network but my home WiFi. No service. Hell, my son doesn't want service.

My son uses his mostly for time management; ie, setting alarms and keeping a list of things he needs to do so he can mark them off as he gets done. It helps him manage is autistic deficiencies and have more time to play guitar.

My daughter mostly forgets her phone is there :rotfl:

The both have limited Google Chat so I can contact them if need be as long as they're hooked up to WiFi. I had my son ride down to speech therapy on his bike last year to learn some independence. But, I needed to know he got there, so he'd let me know by connecting to the clinic's WiFi and texting me on Google. Were this the '90s, I'd have him use a pay phone -- but none are left.

Kids are constantly learning, whether we like it or not. The goal I have is to try to guide that learning as best I can, mostly by example.

Last time I was in school, the teacher's plans had the kids watching a video and answering questions. I walked around the room watching the same video on my phone and working a Duncan Butterfly Yo-Yo with the other. The sound was turned up loud enough that they knew I was putting in the work, too; that I wasn't slacking off. None of the students tried to slack off, either -- even the ones who usually would.

Last year I was teaching math. One of the class clowns started up, and so I stood him in the corner and continued teaching the lesson. He learned that he got attention, but not the type he wanted.

He's still goofy as hell this year, but in appropriate times and places.

 

[Nazgul]

ISS is a little different. As you said, they've already messed up. Therefore, no phones.

I generally give this speech once per month:

"You're so big boys and girls. I can't make you learn; I'll teach, or give the teacher's lesson, but it's up to you to learn it."

"I'll warn you once. To error is human. However, if you keep disrupting class, I'm sending you down to The Blue Room. I can't make you learn, but I'll be damned if you're going disrupt those who want to learn."

I generally have no issues once I make my position known.

The schools at which I sub are pretty conservative. The teachers have a prayer meeting (voluntary, of course) before school in the library. I believe it's a weekly thing.

I used to write my name on the board, thus:

Mr. Smith
He/Him/His

I would know who was actually reading the board because I'd watch their faces.

Then, one day, someone didn't get the joke and sent a pic to his parents. The principal didn't see an issue with it and even less so when I told him what I was doing, but I stopped it because I didn't want any more misunderstandings that would disrupt the school.

I do this because I enjoy it, and don't want to rock the boat -- too hard anyway.

A lot of the troublemakers just want acceptance, too. The ones I originally had issues with are the ones who fist bump me in the halls.

You give respect, you get respect.

Exactly! My wife was a Gov't teacher for 40 years. Never a discipline problem in her room, she had a reputation for being tough but fair. Students loved her.

I always gave them a chance to calm down, they were usually upset on arrival. Then talked to them, find out where their head was at. Some of their home life was appalling to say the least. Just tried to reach them a little.

Had a young lady who was arguably the worst one in the whole school. She was not allowed to be in the building without being escorted. We had run ins in the past that were not good. The principal brought her to my room one morning and said she wanted to get enough credits to graduate. She was there on time every day, we had polite conversations and I helped her study/work. After 3 months she came to my room excited, she had enough to walk at graduation. We went to it and watched. I will always remember the successes no matter how small my part was.

Basically that is our job isn't it? Be there to guide when they are ready.

Keep on, Don

 

[Wabatuckian]

Another story today:

Parents worry about safety if cell phones are not allowed in classroom

INDIANAPOLIS — As students begin the new school year, the question of cell phones interfering with learning is a top of mind concern. Teachers, parents and administrators alike agree that cel…

fox59.com

 

[Creedmoor]

Parents that think that children should be able to have access to a cell while at school, should really think about this part of the article.

After COVID, schools are struggling to keep students engaged in learning and off cell phones during instructional periods of the school day. According to Common Sense Media, an 8-12 year old averages 5.33 hours of screen time per day and a 13-18 year old averages 8.39 hours of screen time per day.

 

[KokomoDave]

The biggest thing that my wife sees as a teacher with 27 years of teaching is:
A) parents calling or texting their kid thereby distracting them.
B) kids cheating like crazy on tests using AI.
C) kids taking pictures of their privates and sending them to other children.

 

[HoughMade]

In case it matters- 4 kids ages 18-26.

Sure, let them have cell phones in class...until they look at it during instruction time in which case it goes into a box until class is over. All cell phones on a table somewhere in the room during tests or quizzes.

Why is this so hard?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

In case it matters- 4 kids ages 18-26.

Sure, let them have cell phones in class...until they look at it during instruction time in which case it goes into a box until class is over. All cell phones on a table somewhere in the room during tests or quizzes.

Why is this so hard?

It shouldn't be that hard, but because students are allowed to assault teachers without repercussions these days, taking the cell phone away when they look at it during instruction time can sometimes be an issue.

 

[wcd]

In case it matters- 4 kids ages 18-26.

Sure, let them have cell phones in class...until they look at it during instruction time in which case it goes into a box until class is over. All cell phones on a table somewhere in the room during tests or quizzes.

Why is this so hard?

Makes sense, but as one School District learned you take the phone you are now solely responsible for it.

 

[Farmerjon]

I tell my students that my classroom is a cell phone free zone. Then I continue on and tell them I carry my phone in the event my wife falls (she has a crippled foot and walks with a cane). So when my phone rings I do look at it, if it is my home or wife's cell I answer, otherwise I cancel the call. I then explain to them that if they are experiencing a situation at home an possibly could be getting an important call, let me know and if their phone rings they can go to the hall and take the call. Then if they get horrible news they aren't to freak out but I will help them formulate a plan. When we are in the shop, I expect them to use their cell as a tool, taking pictures of their engine as they dismantle it, photo of model, type and code numbers. In the wood shop they can utilize them to pull up a picture of the item they are to be turning. In the welding shop, I tell them to put them in their welding locker so they don't burn their screen. They don't.
If I have to remind them more than 3 times to put their phone away in the classroom, they are on the list to put their phone on my desk everyday at beginning of class and they can get it at the end. I prefer to not utilize administration unless really needed. My take, we are teaching students to be good employees and future employers. They need to learn to use their phones properly.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I tell my students that my classroom is a cell phone free zone. Then I continue on and tell them I carry my phone in the event my wife falls (she has a crippled foot and walks with a cane). So when my phone rings I do look at it, if it is my home or wife's cell I answer, otherwise I cancel the call. I then explain to them that if they are experiencing a situation at home an possibly could be getting an important call, let me know and if their phone rings they can go to the hall and take the call. Then if they get horrible news they aren't to freak out but I will help them formulate a plan. When we are in the shop, I expect them to use their cell as a tool, taking pictures of their engine as they dismantle it, photo of model, type and code numbers. In the wood shop they can utilize them to pull up a picture of the item they are to be turning. In the welding shop, I tell them to put them in their welding locker so they don't burn their screen. They don't.
If I have to remind them more than 3 times to put their phone away in the classroom, they are on the list to put their phone on my desk everyday at beginning of class and they can get it at the end. I prefer to not utilize administration unless really needed. My take, we are teaching students to be good employees and future employers. They need to learn to use their phones properly.

High school?

 

[Farmerjon]

High school?

Yes, I teach welding, wood turning, small engines and 8th grade intro to ag.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

I will admit that I did have one small problem with my son and his cell phone at school. It pocket dialed 911, and since it was on silent he didn't know. That was fun, 4 very amped up LEOs on my doorstep and a pistol on my hip. This was shortly after a nasty double murder that was found after a 911 hang up.

Other than that no problems with my son or daughter with cellphones in school. Heck if my daughter wants to contact us she does a Facebook message on her school supplied laptop.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Makes sense, but as one School District learned you take the phone you are now solely responsible for it.

Not sure what incident you're talking about, have a link?