Should Students Use Cell Phones at School?
The role of technology for the younger generation has become a focus after the proposed ban on the use of cell phones in the United States.
Cell phone tuition is also imposed by schools individually as you can see in these pictures.
American schools typically issue iPads to every child starting in first grade, while schools issue laptop computers to every child after third grade.
Smart phones
Smartphones are even more important in schools in Pakistan where digital facilities like the US are not available.
Pakistani students can improve their performance and raise the standard of education by accessing the latest research and reliable information from around the world.
Unnecessary use of technology in the classroom impairs student performance.
Apart from this, it has been observed on some occasions that problems such as copying among students, and cyber-bullying have also been observed with its use.
The role of technology for the young generation has become a focus after the Department of Education of the state of Virginia,
bordering the US capital Washington, has proposed a ban on the use of cell phones in schools.
Usage of smart phones in school
Elementary, middle and high school students won’t be able to have their cell phones with them during school hours under Gov. Glenn Young Kin’s guidelines that go into effect next month.
Parents will also be able to contact their children through school phone numbers only.
In response to the proposal, the majority of parents have expressed their reservations about the ban.
Tahseen Hameed, who lives in Virginia, says that in today’s age of internet and technology, the lack of contact with children seems surprising and disturbing.
She says that I have been involved in teaching myself and understand very well that the unnecessary use of phones disrupts the classroom and distracts the students from the lesson.
“But as a mother, I feel that parents not being able to contact their children in any kind of emergency is a huge concern.”
Is smart phones healthy for kids
Opponents of phone use argue that the United States is a developed country where children are given digital devices in the classroom from the start,
benefiting from the fact that they learn to use technology better and use it to achieve their educational goals.
do According to him, in such cases, phones distract the attention of teachers and students by simply creating disruption in the classroom and disrupting discipline.
The division about the usefulness of phones is also seen among students.
Iman Hussain, a student at Fairfax County Middle School, says every child has a laptop computer and cell phones or smartphones distract from lessons.
She says that in case of emergency, students can easily talk to their parents on the school office phone.
Other students have opposite views. It should be noted that US schools generally issue iPads to every child starting in the first grade, while schools issue laptop computers to every child after the third grade.
According to Common Sense Education, an organization that researches the use of technology in education,
students between the ages of eleven and seventeen check their phones an average of 51 times a day, including several during school hours.
Minutes are also included. Students usually check their phones in response to hundreds of notifications.
They also use the phone to check and respond to text messages from family members.
The concern of teachers is completely justified:
However, the organization says that a complete ban on cell phones or smartphones is not an adequate solution for disruption and discipline.
According to Common Sense Education, students can complete schoolwork better by using “mobile-friendly apps” on smartphones.
Also, in places where students only have access to smartphones rather than computers,
phones are an important tool to give students equal access and thus help establish digital equity.
Banning is like turning away from technology:
Speaking in the context of Pakistan, Dr. Ashai says that smartphones are even more important in schools in Pakistan where digital facilities like the US are not available.
Students can improve their performance and raise the standard of education by accessing the latest research and reliable information from around the world.
Phone lockers should be used in school
Speaking on this topic, Dr. Shaista Hameed Ashai, a psychologist and a Pakistani-American who monitors education and social issues, told Voice of America that smartphones have become an important part of daily life.
So banning them is tantamount to turning away from technology. She says that there are many other important aspects of modern lifestyle besides technology education and facilitation in other fields.
First, cell phones provide a sense of security as a means of communication.
As a Digital Device:
It is an empowerment tool for individuals that empowers people of all ages.
” “As far as the students are concerned, it is a rare facility to easily avail of different views to complete the lesson.
So smartphone has become an indispensable aspect of life.
However, Dr. Shaista Ashai says there are also negative aspects such as threats from criminal networks through the smartphone internet,
which is a shared responsibility of schools, parents, government and society.
It should be noted that in the United States, there are strict privacy laws in place for children’s use of the Internet,
while in many countries there is still no legislation or there is a lack of law enforcement.
Speaking in the context of Pakistan, Dr. Ashai says that smartphones are even more important in schools in Pakistan where digital facilities like the US are not available.
Students can improve their performance and raise the standard of education by accessing the latest research and reliable information from around the world.
The solution to the dilemma is balance:
Malcolm Davis, an educator with extensive experience working as a teacher and vice principal in Washington, D.C. and Virginia,
says that like any other technology, there are advantages and disadvantages to using cell phones or smartphones in the school and classroom.
Davis, who is affiliated with Patrick Henry School in Alexandria, says that in his experience,
the unnecessary use of technology in the classroom hurts student performance.
In addition, they also identify problems such as plagiarism, and cyberbullying among some students due to this.
“I believe that an educational institution must use a balanced approach in making decisions about cell phone use based on a balance between the effectiveness of its use and the prevention of classroom disruptions.
A policy that It also helps in promoting, allows communication and provides a safe environment for children.”
