As I sit in class writing this article, I can count 14 people on their phones out of a class of about 25. Phones are becoming more and more of a convenience to us with the never ending advancement of technology. When I was in middle school, it seemed, that people were lucky to just have a flip phone with the capability of texting. Now, phones have the capability of doing research, playing games, writing documents, you can even use them as a remote for your television. The amount of apps for phones is seemingly endless and phones seem to be becoming more and more advanced, but are some of theses advantages effecting how students perform at school? Is the use of phones hindering the ability for teachers to do their job as effectively?
When asked what he thought about phone use in school, Tech teacher Troy Hanson said “I don’t like it. It distracts them. Phones are a good tool, but there is a proper time and place to use them. It’s different if they have all of their work done, and done right, rather than just using it without doing their work.”
With the capabilities of phones now, they can be at an advantage for students and teachers alike. Phones can be used to look up research quickly without needing to go to a computer. The problem seems to be the distractions along the way. With large varieties of popular apps like Snapchat, Twitter, or Facebook, it seems some students get distracted along the way while trying to obtain research.
“I usually use my phone for music or to look things up [that are class related]. When I’m bored I like to go on Snapchat and Twitter.” said Senior Tim Pearson.
Pearson and many other students alike use their phones for research, and also apps that are not school related.
“I think some teachers don’t mind the use of phones in class, but others do. This sends mixed messages to students which I think makes it tough.” said Hanson.
With the mixed messages of whether or not we can use our phones, and the endless way to entertain ourselves with our phones, it is hard not to use them. The future will hold more and more advancements for technology. The number of students who use their phones in school is increasing, not declining.
Hanson’s message is to “Just put it away.”
Image Credit: Huffington Post
