When it comes to cell phones, yes, there should be some rational restrictions for their usage in school, but during the student's time, such as during their lunch period, the usage of a cell phone should be allowed. Lunch period, essentially, is a student's only break during the day, and it gives them a chance to unwind and get "re-charged" to finish out the rest of the school day. Lunch is a time for personal enjoyment. Because lunch is indeed the time of the student and not of the teacher, no harm is being done. There is no distraction from learning during lunch, and there would not be any disrespect shown to a teacher because it is not during their time. Considering the day of any high school student, being allowed a small amenity such as this would make a world of difference.
Some may disagree with this, stating that the allowance of cell phones during lunch would lead to problems, but the positive sides need to be looked at as well. This may give many students the opportunity to catch up with family members, or sort out agendas for the rest of their day: making calls to work, transportation arrangements, etc. Overall, it would create much more peace of mind for students: they would not have to be burdened with the worry of contacting a parent of they needed them. A student would always be able to count on the fact that they would be given an opportunity to do so during the school day.
Cell phones can also be used as a practical learning resource as well. Students can carry out extensive scheduling and agenda making on their phone calendars, and create automatic reminders for certain assignments or school related events. Students can also access the Internet for assignment and project resources as well, and also make use of the ever so popular calculator.
If students are given this privilege during the school day, it is highly unlikely that they would abuse it because they would be aware of the fact that the usage of their cell phone would be very beneficial to them, and they would not want to risk losing it.
Small changes such a this can make our long school days all the more enjoyable when times of stress come around. This will promote overall morale of students, and therefore increase their productivity and eagerness. Without a privilege such as this, students may be able to view their school day differently, and therefore see it as more of a positive experience when things get stressful.
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7 comments:
Got this.
First of all, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Even though I disagree with your stance, it was very well written and you had some really good points.
However, I feel that how the cellular situation instated now is adequate. It was a Hasty Generalization to say that “There is no distraction from learning during lunch, and there would not be any disrespect shown to a teacher because it is not during their time,”. What about the kids who actually study in study hall or who do their work in lunch (some even for the next class)? Also, as I’m sure you’re aware, some kids are disrespectful to teachers no matter what. Not only that- it is the teacher’s time too. The teacher can’t really leave and go somewhere else. They are there to keep some sort of order and enforce the school’s rules, or even sometimes help students on their work.
Next you mention that many people ignore the positives. In your blog, you ignored the negatives! And there are, in my opinion, more problems than could ever be overweighed by the good. What about unwanted pictures and videos being taken of other students – and even having the access to immediately post them on the internet? It would be yet another form of hazing uncovered to deal with.
As for a student in need of contacting a parent, boss, or literally anything else of importance- there is the Guidance Center. If it’s really that bad, there’s also the office. And another bonus: it doesn’t matter which you choose, there are people there that part of their job is to discuss any discerning issues you may have in your life at the moment, and help you through them. Also, I fail to see the urgency to do this – for average circumstances. Most working parents are still working at 2:30pm (when we get out of school) and many parents have their own cell phones that they can use if the work line is busy.
It was a Hasty Generalization to say that students can use their phone’s internet. I know many persons, including myself, who do not have such a privilege. Mainly kids have music, pictures, and numbers. Also, this access would infringe on another school policy. The school’s computers block certain cites that would be accessible on a student’s phone. In addition, you state that a student could use the phone’s calculator. What’s wrong with a regular calculator that has even more functions than a phone’s? You need a certain calculator for many courses and couldn’t have your phone in classes still. Most kids are already addicted to the aid of calculators and other technologies. This accessibility, in most cases, is making it worse.
You had said something about scheduling. I, personally, don’t know anyone who even uses their cell phone’s calendar- but even so, what about the school-issued planners that are mandatory to carry anyway? Many kids are irresponsible and don’t plan out their days that meticulously. If they do, wouldn’t that add to their stress- whether it be stress from how much they have to do or being overwhelmed by trying to make all the floating plans fit?
It is said in your blog that “If students are given this privilege during the school day, it is highly unlikely that they would abuse it because they would be aware of the fact that the usage of their cell phone would be very beneficial to them, and they would not want to risk losing it,”. I think that’s a slight use of False Authority. Who’s to say that they wouldn’t? That never stopped the slew of kids who broke the ID rule, the few that ruined the Senior Lounge privilege by smoking in the room (turning it, ironically, into an internal detention room), the students who violated the dress-code so much that it transformed the rule into a harsh restriction (that some more raunchy students still seem to get away with while the rest of us suffer in the hotter months), the classes that demolished the gum allowance by putting it under desks (when getting rid of the privilege actually generated more gum under seats and tables), or even the kids that made bomb threats. And let’s not forget that bombs can be activated by cell phones. Even other rules, like the bag/purse rules, were issued in a stricter fashion for the sake of bomb-control.
I do not feel that the usage of cell phones would make a student’s day more enjoyable. What about the kids who use lunch as an escape? Let’s pretend that a student was having a bad situation at home and just wants to escape from the unwanted nagging calls and the obligations their negative situation brings? In addition, the use of phones would alienate certain kids from their friends. Friends who may be texting kids that are in other classes where cell phone usage would still not be allowed.
I do not feel it would raise the morale of students. It would, however, raise the level of chaos. Phone calls ranting, music blaring, tapping texts, the list goes on. I know it’s very loud in lunches already, but this would make studies loud too and make lunch an even worse environment for studying. It’s called an ‘enrichment period’ for a reason. I think it will just make students more eager to text again and make them feel even more entitled to text during a class.
“Without a privilege such as this, students may be able to view their school day differently, and therefore see it as more of a positive experience when things get stressful,”. I don’t think cell phones can make a personality change like that. Even if they could, they would have by now by all the hours they are used outside of school.
Overall, I feel that the allowance of cell phone usage in school would cause more problems than it could ever cure.
I’m not really a texter, so I guess I’m sort of unqualified, but I always see kids texting during class. It can’t be that hard if most of the student body does it already.
Sorry I had so much to say. Your argument really made me think because it was thoughtful and challenged a good topic for debate.
Juno,
Happy MLK Jr. Day to you too! I hope that you have enjoyed your day off.
I really appreciate the imput that you had to offer, it is very insightful, and persuasive.
I want to start by saying that when I wrote this blog, I must admit that I was thinking more so of myself as an individual and what I would do, rather than what the majority of the student body would do if given this opportunity to use cell phones during lunch. I do not have a lunch period or a study hall to begin with, but I guess I was possibly looking at this too idealistically: I know that I wouldn't be disruptful or compromise the privacy of others, but unfortunately there ARE alot of other people that would. Ultimately, as you have addressed with issues such as the Senior Lounge, there are going to be those kids that are going to ruin it for others. I am guilty of thinking that all kids are going to be perfect, and just use their phones as they are supposed to.
Personally, I am not a big phone person myself, I don't text often, and I don't have my phone on during the school day...my intentions with this argument were to possibly show that using the phone during lunch would be good for some, but when it comes to the kids that would abuse it, I can agree with your statement that the negatives would outweigh the positives.
And thank you for calling me out on my fallacy usage, I didn't even know that I did.
Yeah, I tend to think that the student body is closer to us sometimes too. And I kind of wish they were because then we might have less restrictions.
Your idea 'looks great on paper', and would probably work with responsible kids, but that's not all of HP unfortunately :/
How did we ever get through our day before the era of cell phones?
Why do students feel the need to be in constant contact with someone else? Is it loneliness masqued by other things?
Your blog causes me to wonder about self-discipline and organization. Does the constant use of cell phones suggest a lost of self-discipline and organization?
I asked a student why he felt the need to answer the phone immediately. He replied that it gave him a sense of power. Do students feel more empowered by having a cell phone? Or is it something that takes away their power and makes them subjects to others?
The Teach---
Myself, I really cannot imagine the days before cell phones..They have really become an essential device in the lives of many, whether it is for conveniece, work, or safety when it comes to younger children.
Recently, my dad was telling me a story of how he was late to my mom and his rehearsal dinner because he was stuck in traffic and a terrential downpour "Now this was before we had cell phones", he said. It is really amazing how we got through rough times such as these without a phone. It seemed that those times were with less worry of one's whereabouts. Nowadays, with my cell phone, I call my mom when I arrive to school and work to let her know that I am OK.
I am not a big "texter" ... therefore, I do not understand why kids find the need to be texting their friends in other classes during the school day, and most of the times, these conversations aren't even of substance. For example: "Wuz up?" , "Nothing", "Math Stinks", etc. In my eyes, when kids do this, it is esentially ununproductive. When you speak of the possibility of lonliness I do agree that this is a factor as well...some kids may have a rough time during school and communicating with the ones that they care about can serve as a release.
With cell phones, I feel that it can go both ways when it comes to loss of organization and self-discipline. I know that my cousin who works for a headhunting company uses her cell phone all of the time...but in this situation, I see it as strong organization. To take the time the program things into your phone and utilize it for your workschedule shows the existence of a Type A Personality, however, the individuals that cannot even function without thier cell phone definately represent the lost ability to rely on one-self for organization and time management.
You statement about a student being empowered by a cell phone really intrigues me...it is truth for many kids that a cell phone empowers them. They look "cool" because they have someone to talk to or someone to text. But, cell phones do have the power of negativity. Cyber-bullying, invasion of privacy, etc...are all things that can come out of the usage of a cell phone, especially for young adults.
You write:
Cyber-bullying, invasion of privacy, etc...are all things that can come out of the usage of a cell phone, especially for young adults.
Young people of all ages who use the internet and various forms of cyber communications are subject to cyber-bullying, to predators, and to various forms of abuse. For as much that is positive about the internet, blogs, youtube, instant messaging, facebook and myspace, and cell phones, there are significant negatives.
Nancy Willard has campaigned for safe cyber environments. You may be interested in her efforts.
http://www.cyberbully.org/
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