Cell phones. Students should be allowed to have them on their persons in school.
This past spring, as I was sitting with faculty members for end of year conversations, I was asked, point blank, where I stood on cell phones in classrooms. The person asking me is a serious educator and deserved a serious and well considered answer.
Would that I had one.
We talked about the negatives. We talked about the positives. We talked about the distractions and the challenges. We talked about the practicalities. We talked about how they have changed our work.
We talked. It was a great conversation.
I did not take a stand on the issue in that chat. I am in my first year as principal at my school and I determined that I did not want my principalship defined by this issue.
This is not my principalship. This is my blog. This is a place that I write about what I believe to be true whether or not I am in a position to enact what I believe to be true.
Cell phones. Students should be allowed to have them on their persons in school.
In no particular order, this is what I think:
- Cell phones are crucial in emergencies.
- Cell phones can be valuable educational tools and many apps our teachers require (yes, require) our students to use are designed for phones. Likewise, our digital platforms are accessible on their phones and enable students to be updated on school announcements, assignments, and other important communications.
- Allowing students to carry cell phones can teach them responsibility and self-discipline. We have a responsibility to help students learn how to use their phones appropriately.
- In an increasingly digital world, familiarity with technology is essential.
- In some cases (in many cases?), having a phone can help students manage anxiety and stay connected with their support systems. It can provide a sense of security, knowing they can reach out to loved ones if needed.
These phones are tools. They are tools that are a part of our students’ lives. They are part of ours.
I believe we have a responsibility to help our students engage appropriately with them.
Should students have unfettered access? No. There should be guidelines. There should be times when phones are not in hands. There should be breaks from them. There should be restrictions.
Phones should not be banned. They should be used. Effectively.
I understand this is easier written than done.