Educators were quick to observe a shift in students' cellphone behavior when they returned to school amidst the pandemic. Their increased attachment to these devices during class became more apparent, with a rise in activities like posting on social media, searching YouTube, and texting friends.
So this year, schools in Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California and others banned the devices in class to curb student obsession, learning disruption, disciplinary incidents and mental health worries.
In no uncertain terms, Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli of Dayton Public Schools declared, "We clearly communicated our position: this behavior must cease. The academic challenges we face will persist if our students continue to be preoccupied with their phones."
Cell Phone Signal Jammer For Schools
Educational institutions may resort to the use of cell phone signal jammers to dissuade students from utilizing their mobile devices during classroom sessions. The presence of cell phones in classrooms can be highly disruptive, posing a significant challenge to students' ability to concentrate and adversely affecting their learning outcomes.
Instead of using cell phone signal blocking device, many schools have implemented policies that restrict or prohibit the use of cell phones during class time. Some schools require students to keep their cell phones turned off and stored in their backpacks during class, while others provide cell phone storage lockers or charging stations.
Furthermore, there are schools that have adopted technological measures to restrict or regulate the use of cell phones in particular zones of the school. For instance, some schools utilize Wi-Fi networks that can effectively block access to social media and other distracting websites.
In general, while the use of cell phone jamming
may appear to be an efficient means of curbing cell phone use in schools, it is important to address this issue in a lawful and responsible manner. Educational institutions should consider adopting policies and technologies that can limit or regulate cell phone use, without resorting to illegal and potentially dangerous methods like cell phone signal jammers.
The Bad
Students tend to be highly susceptible to the kinds of distractions smartphones provide. My colleague caught a student watching Grey's Anatomy during her class. Other students tweet, text, and listen to music when they should be on task. According to Jeffrey Kuznekoff, who conducted a study on phone use by college students, "You're putting yourself at a disadvantage when you are actively engaged with your mobile device in class and not engaged in what's going on." Saraswathi Bellur, a researcher at the University of Connecticut, found that multitasking in class "is likely to harm academic performance."
The post-covid-19 years have brought about heightened challenges, particularly in the academic domain, with numerous districts lagging behind by a year or more. These districts are putting forth all their efforts to support students in catching up. Surprisingly, social media platforms accessed through students' mobile phones are now being seen as a significant factor in the deterioration of mental health. Consequently, several school systems have resorted to legal measures against these platforms.
The matter has resulted in differing opinions among parents, as many critics assert that it is crucial for their children to have mobile phones as a precautionary measure for emergencies.
“We’re not trying to infringe on anybody’s freedom, but we need to have full attention in the classroom,” said Nancy J. Hines, superintendent in the Penn Hills School District, in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Following the return to in-person instruction amid the pandemic, Hines encountered an escalation in cellphone-related challenges within their diverse 3,000-student system. Aiming to redirect the students' attention towards educational pursuits rather than constant scrolling, the district implemented a ban in its middle school. Homeroom teachers were responsible for collecting the students' cellphones every morning and securely storing them in zippered cases. The students were then able to retrieve their phones prior to heading home.