It has always been standard school policy to have no cell phones during class. However, ever since these ridiculous rules about phones were written, phones have come a long way and evolved into the era of smart phones.
It’s stated in the student handbook that there shall be no phones or electronic devices during class, walking back from lunch, during JAG, you name it. The consequence for getting caught can range from a 2 hour detention to an ISS. Are you kidding me? First off, who actually strictly follows that? I can guarantee most students did not even know because most teachers, smartly may I add, only care if it becomes a legitimate issue. The only ones who suffer from this unnecessary policy are those who were caught by teachers that are thinking cell phone restrict learning (which they can, but I’ll get to that soon enough).
Ten years ago, back when that rule was probably written, cell phones had two sole purposes: calling people and maybe texting. Now a days, phones can do pretty much anything a computer can do. Would you discourage a student from using a computer for academic reasons?
No, in fact, they’re used at school by students daily. My point here is that many people use their cell phones for assistance with their school work. I use mine for reminders, so if a test or project is coming up I’ll remember. “Oh! That teacher said the project is due on the 9th of next month. I’ll just put it in my pho– oh, wait. I can’t. The teacher will assume I’m texting and take it.” Not only that, but if I need to look up information about my schoolwork, use a calculator if I don’t have one, get on dictionary.com, you name it, half the time I can’t. Why? Because of an unnecessary fear that my phone will be taken.
This silly policy needs to be updated ASAP. It;s hurting more than helping. The rule needs to say that phones can be used in class at appropriate times, and if the student has an important call or text, they should ask or tell the teacher beforehand. If the student is playing a game, that is a different story and normal phone rules could apply. The school is stuck in a different time period before the most recent technology of smart phones and it needs to be changed.