With cell phone technology being such a influential part of every day life and continuously growing, it is unrealistic to expect students to disconnect completely from it during the school day. Most students have cell phones and grew up using them. While I acknowledge that cellphones can pose challenges in a school setting, I believe that they can also immensely benefit students and teachers throughout the school day.
There are numerous tools on your cell phone that students can use throughout the day in order to make their learning experience more fun and enjoyable. Educational apps have become such a large part of learning in schools today. Many teachers at Sutton High School and other schools enjoy allowing students to use their cell phones during class time when playing learning games such as Kahoot, or Quizlet Live. Although you can use your computer for those activities, it is often more convenient and efficient to just pull out your cell phone. This especially goes for interactive games like Quizlet Live, where students need to join groups and move around the classroom.
Additionally, students and teachers frequently use their cell phones to check grades, emails, or Google Classroom updates. For instance, Mr. Anderson, a history teacher at Sutton High School, says that although he tries to limit his cell phone use during his workday, he finds it convenient to use his phone to post things on Google Classroom when he’s away from his desk. Having this mobile device with you whenever you need it allows both students and teachers to stay connected and manage their tasks more effectively, showing the practical benefits of cell phone use in an educational setting.
Despite the risks of cell phone usage in school they also can be crucial for student safety. Many students and teachers use their cell phones to stay in touch with family or loved ones. Sometimes there are family emergencies or other important matters that require immediate attention. Sometimes it is small things like you forgot your basketball shoes at home and you need someone to drop them off. Regardless, having a direct line of communications is important, far less time consuming, and more efficient.
Technology is expanding by the minute and a lot of it is on our cell phones, making it an important thing for students to learn about. We should be utilizing the technology we have in our hands to teach us different digital literacy skills, especially with 92 percent of jobs requiring some sort of tech skills.
Despite the numerous unacceptable issues that correlate cell phones with poor mental health, if used responsibly, I think it can support mental health. This could be with organizations, having calendars and reminders set for certain things or due dates can be extremely helpful. Also many students enjoy listening to music while doing independent work. This allows them to focus and release stress, providing a chance to almost step away from what may feel like a consistently stressful school environment so they can better focus on their assignments.
Social media also tends to be an issue when it comes to cell phones in school but when used correctly it can really be an amazing thing. There are numerous Instagram, TikTok, and even some Twitter accounts affiliated with Sutton High School that are being run by students at our school. Having these social media accounts that showcase the many different extracurriculars, clubs, and more at our school helps create a sense of community. This makes it fun and engaging in the hopes that most students will want to participate in not one but multiple different activities that are offered at our school.
Overall, when used responsibly, controlled cell phones usage in schools can be a powerful tool to support and enhance education.
