Some schools have a no tolerance policy on cell phones. This means that if a student's cell phone is seen or heard during class, they are automatically suspended. Even if the student is completely on task, and their phone rings in their bag, it is automatic suspension.
At first, this policy shocked me for several reasons. First of all, it seemed really harsh, because I don't know how I feel about students missing school for perhaps an honest mistake, particularly when it seems that sometimes even teachers can not keep their cell phones from ringing at inappropriate times. Secondly, it made me realize how the possibilities of using cell phones for educational purposes in a public school would not be an easy task. I think that using technology for educational purposes is something that most teachers would agree is a good thing, however I don't think that many teachers are in fact acting on it.
On the other hand, cell phones can be a huge distraction for students and perhaps if it keeps them from being distracted that is a good thing. I know that I can definitely be distracted by having a computer in front of me during class. That being said, I often think that even if I didn't have a computer, I would still probably be distracted by something else. When I was in high school, hardly any one had cell phones, and I don't think that most phones could even text. That being said, that definitely did not stop me from communicating with my peers in class by passing notes :)
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out once school starts. Yet, I could understand a harsh punishment for a student blatantly using their cell phone in your class, but if it just happens to ring while in their bag, who can say that they have never made that mistake?
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3 comments:
Wow! That is kind of hardcore when it comes to discipline. I haven't looked through my school policy list yet but now I will be looking to see exactly what is going on with the cell phones.
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Your posting is interesting on several fronts, Autumn, but I am particularly intrigued by the implications of the question you raise at the conclusion. I do think that everyone benefits from having a shared understanding of where the limits are. As we move to enforcing those limits, one of the debates among teachers and administrators is the value of having the students participate in setting some of those limits, whether for the group or the individual. As you conclude your post, you point to an "enforcement" question related to authenticity and trust, and also to the kind of environment that is created in a classroom. Is a "zero tolerance" policy on a matter like this the best way to go? What are the implications for our relationships with our students? Is the first infringement of this policy an opportunity to discuss how you're going to handle infringements and why?
Perhaps even more important are your observations of what's gained and lost in the way in which this policy is expressed officially, and handled classroom by classroom.
Keep watching...
autumn
I completely agree with you at romulus if they get caught with phones the parent has to come pick them up from the office before the secretary leaves. i know my parents never got home in time to do anything of that sort, and I would hate that if i was a parent... but i guess it is pretty threatening if you know your mom or dad will be super mad!
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