Cell phones and classrooms – an antidote to anxiety – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Smartphones are the wonder of modern times.

Not only do they allow us to instantly communicate with each other in countless ways, they also provide access to the Internet and all the information it contains.

A finger tap can take us down an educational rabbit hole of human history, math, literature, or science.

We can tune in to videos on philosophy, listen to lectures on astronomy.

We can, but do we?

For many people, the supercomputer tucked away in their pocket is essentially a communication device with a disturbing side. They are a useful part of everyday life and a tool for free time filled with entertaining games and engaging social media applications.

Like any type of technology, cell phones have their pros and cons.

For the generations currently moving through the school system, smartphones have been a natural part of their environment since birth. They grew up with parents who used them freely and often, and may have inherited their devices at a young age.

This has created a wave of tech-savvy people and a growing dilemma in education.

More local schools are cracking down on cell use in the classroom in an effort to improve student attendance and reduce distractions.

Last fall, the division's scolaire franco-manitobaine banned personal devices entirely during class at its schools across the province. Students should leave their phones in their lockers or put them in classroom storage bags before sitting at their desks to study.

A few months later, Francophone leaders are declaring the experiment a success, and three Winnipeg elementary and middle schools are implementing cell phone policies.

This is a positive trend that many school communities should adopt.

This is not the first time that personal devices have clashed with classroom priorities. In the 90s, Tamagotchi – egg-shaped toys with virtual pets inside – were the bane of many teachers' lives. At the height of the trend, some Canadian schools considered banning the toys because of the distracting pixelated animals offered to students.

However, unlike Tamagotchis, smartphones are not transitory demons. If anything, they're creeping into our lives, for better and for worse.

With an effective cell phone policy, teachers can take back control of their classrooms while teaching students an important lesson about the pitfalls of technology.

Most mobile apps are designed to be addictive to attract advertisers. Research on the topic of smartphone addiction shows that excessive use of these devices can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor physical health. These effects can be especially harmful for teenagers.

Although some believe that cell phone bans violate individual rights, a cost-benefit analysis must look at the whole picture. There is a lot to do with learning outcomes and student well-being.

More schools should adopt bans on phones in the classroom, but these bans must be accompanied by curricula about technology's impact on humans and education about safe use.

Given the right context, students may be more inclined to think critically about their interactions with smartphones than the seven hours a day they spend at school.

Modern classrooms must use technology to prepare students for the technology-driven world we live in. It also means fostering a sense of responsible and healthy digital citizenship.