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Bans may help protect classroom focus, but districts need to stay mindful of students’ sense of connection, experts say

Students around the world are being separated from their phones.

In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 77 percent of U.S. schools had moved to prohibit cellphones for nonacademic purposes. In September 2018, French lawmakers outlawed cellphone use for schoolchildren under the age of 15. In China, phones were banned country-wide for schoolchildren last year.

Supporters of these initiatives have cited links between smartphone use and bullying and social isolation and the need to keep students focused on schoolwork.

77% Of U.S. schools moved to ban cellphones for nonacademic purposes as of 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics

But some Harvard experts say instructors and administrators should consider learning how to teach with tech instead of against it, in part because so many students are still coping with academic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic. At home, many young people were free to choose how and when to use their phones during learning hours. Now, they face a school environment seeking to take away their main source of connection.

“Returning back to in-person, I think it was hard to break the habit,” said Victor Pereira, a lecturer on education and co-chair of the Teaching and Teaching Leadership Program at the Graduate School of Education.

Through their students, he and others with experience both in the classroom and in clinical settings have seen interactions with technology blossom into important social connections that defy a one-size-fits-all mindset. “Schools have been coming back, trying to figure out, how do we readjust our expectations?” Pereira added.

It’s a hard question, especially in the face of research suggesting that the mere presence of a smartphone can undercut learning .

Michael Rich , an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says that phones and school don’t mix: Students can’t meaningfully absorb information while also texting, scrolling, or watching YouTube videos.

“The human brain is incapable of thinking more than one thing at a time,” he said. “And so what we think of as multitasking is actually rapid-switch-tasking. And the problem with that is that switch-tasking may cover a lot of ground in terms of different subjects, but it doesn’t go deeply into any of them.”

Pereira’s approach is to step back — and to ask whether a student who can’t resist the phone is a signal that the teacher needs to work harder on making a connection. “Two things I try to share with my new teachers are, one, why is that student on the phone? What’s triggering getting on your cell phone versus jumping into our class discussion, or whatever it may be? And then that leads to the second part, which is essentially classroom management.

“Design better learning activities, design learning activities where you consider how all of your students might want to engage and what their interests are,” he said. He added that allowing phones to be accessible can enrich lessons and provide opportunities to use technology for school-related purposes.

Mesfin Awoke Bekalu, a research scientist in the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Chan School, argues that more flexible classroom policies can create opportunities for teaching tech-literacy and self-regulation.

“There is a huge, growing body of literature showing that social media platforms are particularly helpful for people who need resources or who need support of some kind, beyond their proximate environment,” he said. A study he co-authored by Rachel McCloud and Vish Viswanath for the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness shows that this is especially true for marginalized groups such as students of color and LGBTQ students. But the findings do not support a free-rein policy, Bekalu stressed.

In the end, Rich, who noted the particular challenges faced by his patients with attention-deficit disorders and other neurological conditions, favors a classroom-by-classroom strategy. “It can be managed in a very local way,” he said, adding: “It’s important for parents, teachers, and the kids to remember what they are doing at any point in time and focus on that. It’s really only in mono-tasking that we do very well at things.”

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Home Essay Samples Information Science and Technology Cell Phones

Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School: An Argumentative Perspective

Table of contents, enhancing learning through technology integration, promoting effective communication and collaboration, preparing students for the digital age, fostering individual responsibility and autonomy, addressing concerns and implementing guidelines.

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Essay on Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In School

Students are often asked to write an essay on Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In School in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In School

Introduction.

Cell phones have become an essential part of our lives. The question is, should they be allowed in schools? This is a hot topic with many different views.

Benefits of Cell Phones in School

Cell phones can be helpful in schools. They can be used for learning. Students can use them to research, do math, or read. They can also be used for safety. If there is an emergency, students can call for help.

Drawbacks of Cell Phones in School

Cell phones can also be a problem in schools. They can distract students from learning. Students might spend time on games or social media instead of studying. They can also lead to cheating in exams.

In conclusion, cell phones have both benefits and drawbacks in schools. It’s important for schools to find a balance. They could allow cell phones but set rules for when and how they can be used.

250 Words Essay on Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In School

Reasons for allowing cell phones.

Firstly, cell phones can be helpful learning tools. Many have apps that can help students learn new things. For example, language learning apps can help students learn a new language. Also, cell phones can be used for research during class.

Secondly, cell phones can provide safety. Parents can contact their children in case of an emergency.

Reasons Against Allowing Cell Phones

On the other hand, cell phones can be a distraction. Students might use them to play games or chat with friends during class. This can lead to poor grades and less learning.

Also, cell phones can lead to cyberbullying. Students might use them to send mean messages or spread rumors.

In conclusion, there are good reasons for and against allowing cell phones in schools. It’s important to think about these reasons and make a wise decision. Maybe schools can allow cell phones but set rules to prevent misuse. This way, students can enjoy the benefits of cell phones without the drawbacks.

500 Words Essay on Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In School

Learning tools.

Cell phones can be great for learning. They can help students research topics, take notes, and even study for tests. Many schools now use apps for homework and classwork, making cell phones a vital part of the learning process. Some educators even use cell phones in their lesson plans to make learning more interactive and engaging.

Communication

Another reason why cell phones should be allowed in schools is for communication. Students can use them to contact their parents or guardians in case of an emergency. Plus, they can stay in touch with their friends and plan group study sessions. Cell phones help students feel connected and safe.

Distractions

Cyberbullying.

Another concern is cyberbullying. With cell phones, students can send hurtful messages or share embarrassing photos quickly and easily. This can lead to a lot of harm and distress for the victims. Schools need to ensure they have proper measures in place to prevent and address cyberbullying if they allow cell phones.

In conclusion, whether cell phones should be allowed in school is a complex issue. They can be great tools for learning and communication, but they can also be sources of distraction and cyberbullying. It’s important for schools to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. They should also think about how they can use cell phones in a way that benefits students while minimizing the risks.

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Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Cell Phones — Why Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School

Why Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School

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Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 1039 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Educational benefits: a powerful learning tool, safety and security: a lifeline in critical situations, communication and parental involvement: a partnership for success, addressing concerns: responsible use and effective policies.

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Persuasive Essay Sample: Cell Phones Should Be Allowed In School

Cell phones are an important part of everyday life, they help us communicate, and browse many different topics. Although they pose as a helpful and important tool when navigating life, the real question arises when it comes to using cell phones during class. Many believe that cell phones cause an unnecessary distraction when learning, though some would disagree. When incorporating cell phones into the classroom it may have more positives rather than negatives. Cell phones should be allowed in school because they help students to contact parents in case of emergencies, and help neurodivergent and foreign students to better engage in class, however, some may see cell phones as an aid to cheating. 

At this present time, school catastrophes are on the rise, having a proper communication method could help to prevent these catastrophes and provide family members peace of heart. It demonstrates this idea in “Debate: "Cell"ing safety in schools--are cell phones necessary for students since 9/11?” it states, “In an emergency, such as an attack, bomb threat, or school shooting, students with cell phones can instantly contact their parents or the proper authorities. Checking on a loved one makes both students and parents feel safer.” (Hastings). This shows the importance of having a cell phone on you, it not only could save lives but it can also get the proper authorities attention much faster. In many instances, students who have been in school shootings have said that if they had their cell phones on them, maybe authorities would have been there faster and prevented injuries and lost lives. To add to this, cell phones are an easy way to call parents in case of emergencies, it mentions this in “Should cellphones be allowed in school?” it says, “If anything goes wrong at school, students can use cell phones to let their parents know they are OK. Parents may panic when they hear news reports from schools. A call from a cell phone can put them at ease.” (Stamford). This demonstrates cell phones a hand reach away can help to prevent chaos in the classroom and out. Letting parents know you’re okay can help to prevent confusion and provide parents with peace of mind. Altogether, cell phones in the classroom are essential when it comes to the safety of the students.

Neurodivergent and foregin students are often overlooked in the classroom, not receiving the proper aid that they need in order to succeed. Technology, such as cell phones, may help to solve this problem, it mentions in “Screens in the Classroom: Tool or Temptation?” that, “Many professors and education professionals are discovering that rather than distract, strategically applied devices increase engagement with students, especially those with learning disabilities, who are on the autism spectrum and for whom English is a second language,” (Luongo). By including technology in the classroom, neurodivergent students are more likely to be engaged in classroom discussions, activities, and assignments. Not only this, but foreign students may find it easier to communicate with their peers and feel more comfortable when talking in class, all because they were allowed to have their cell phones. To continue this idea, it says in “Screens in the Classroom: Tool or Temptation?” that, “These tools also help students who have special needs. Arianna Esposito, the director of life span services and supports for the advocacy group Autism Speaks, says students on the autism spectrum use smartphone-enabled augmented technology and other applications ‘at a much earlier age than ever before, and as those students age out, and enter college, they have developed new study skills and they have used cognitive behavioral support that helps them be successful in the classroom,’ (Luongo). For this reason, banning cellphones in school would greatly affect how these students communicate with their teachers and students, it provides them with a way to easily express their thoughts without having to worry about not coming across clearly. These devices help to provide a stable learning experience which will provide a more equal opportunity for all students to learn. All in all, cell phones are essential learning tools which provide more good than harm.

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