Some clever UK education chief recently suggested that children should not be allowed to take their mobile 'phones into class. Well, fancy that!
The question of consulting 'phones in the classroom seems to me yet another way of dividing the nation. Rather than dragging schools up to higher standards, they have been surreptitiously keeping their pupils down by allowing them to consult 'facebook', 'Skype', or 'Instagram' in class.
I must say, if schoolchildren find their 'phones more interesting or important than whatever their teacher is attempting to teach them; then I see problems ahead. Frankly I'm amazed that strict rules were not laid down when mobile 'phones first became widespread amongst children.
In my own teaching days, had a pupil started texting, or sending selfies, during one of my classes, I would have put the device straight into the dustbin.
There are many insidious ways to encourage social divide at an early age, which may not seem obvious at first, but they do the intended job. Children using mobile 'phones during lessons is one such, and is frankly ridiculous.
Call me old fashioned, but the idea of children playing with their 'phones during lessons, at table, or whilst they are supposed to be sleeping; is completely crazy!
Here the phone is not allowed to run in the classrooms, at the end of the day everyone runs with the phone in hand.
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly sure of the situation back in the UK, but if a politician has to suggest that they be banned from the classroom, I imagine that they are still allowed.
DeleteIt is mixed here. The latest thinking is that children need to learn to control their use of phones and so not use them in the classroom but still be able to use them for quick research. Yes, I know, go to the library and do the research there, but that is unlikely. They can have quick answers to questions with their phones and I think it is good think for them to learn when it is appropriate to pull their phones out and when it is not.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly have their uses, but knowing most children they would be on facebook as soon as their teacher's back is turned.
DeleteNot on Facebook anymore, not since their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties joined and sent them a friend request. Instagram, Snapchat.......who knows.
DeleteThe modern mobile phones are a mixed blessing, more like computers with the ability to make phone calls?
ReplyDeleteYes, they can be useful in lots of ways, but I believe that they take away the incentive to actually learn anything, why bother when Google knows all?
Children are leaving school, aged 16, who can hardly read or write; but are very adept at playing 'fortnite'.
DeleteWhich will obviously stand them in good stead in the real world?
DeleteAs long as it doesn't involve spelling!
DeleteNo phones allowed in classrooms here. School rulings are usually followed here . Suspensions are given freely and count towards whether you pass or not.
ReplyDeleteNo phones in class, no smoking....or other surreptitious activities..in the toilets and no fighting in the playground.
Not too hard to follow the rules. Back in the olden days it was length of skirt as well and length of hair. Much harder for the rebels
Well, at least they know where they stand. Sounds like my school days.
DeleteAnd WE were told off for talking in class or passing notes! I believe the school my children went to had a blocking device. Phones could only be used outside the building.
ReplyDeleteBlocking sounds good. That way no-one gets to avoid the ban.
DeleteOf course phones should not be used in classrooms - or at the dinner table, assuming the entire family sit down to dinner. The trouble is that the parents are usually as addicted as their children, so understand the torture of being denied access.
ReplyDeleteIn many restaurants (especially the 'fast food' variety) you see knife, fork, and phone; all three being used at the same time.
DeleteI'm surprised mobile 'phones have ever been allowed in the classroom. I'm just pleased that mobiles weren't really around until my daughters had finished school so it wasn't an issue for them.
ReplyDeleteThe Ministry of Education should have laid down some rules as soon as the phones appeared; it's almost too late now, the complaints would come thick and fast.
DeleteMy university philosophy teacher told us this week that his first year students are looking at their phones all the time during lectures and seminars and when they file out of the lecture theatre their heads are buried in them and nobody says thank you to him for the lecture. He much prefers teaching us. I do at least keep my phone in my pocket until I am out of the room.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the lecturer doesn't just walk out. It's extremely rude of his students to ignore him.
DeleteMy grandkids are not allowed phones in their classroom and I think it's the best policy and it is enforced. It never occurred to me that they would be allowed during lessons.
ReplyDeletePresumably they must be, in places. There should be a country-wide ban.
DeleteIt isn't a question of "old fashioned" - it's a question of right and wrong. Somehow all that's wrong is becoming right. God help us!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I've just thought of something - the horrendous school shootings - parents probably feel safer (?) with their children carrying phones in case of emergency. It may not be such a problem in the UK, but it surely is in the US. Stop the world - I want to get off!!
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly an argument one hears regularly; parents who want to be in permanent contact with their little darlings. Amazingly we all survived pre mobile phones.
DeleteThe trouble is that the parents do it too Cro and therefore see no wrong in it.
ReplyDeleteI don't use one; and refuse to do so. Maybe that's why I find them so invasive.
DeleteMost of Laura's classes have something like a shoe bag over the door. Kids put their phones in on coming in and retrieve them leaving. Laura keeps her phone turned off during the day, and doesn't use the collection system.
ReplyDeleteAs long as they are not used at table, in class, or at night, they are fine. In all, I think they are more bad than good.
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