SACRAMENTO -- In the network culture, smart phones have become like a lifeline to another existence we might call “distracted”. There is an overwhelming feeling of being “disconnected” or lost when we are not “always on”.
This need to be connected to the next text or post can be a problem for learning in the classroom or at the desk; monitoring incoming cyber streams are an anathema to receiving instruction.
Judy Farina is the principal at Caroline Wenzel Elementary school, who observes that mobile phones if not checked are a huge distraction for education.
“Educators need parents to support the school policies. With the technology we have now, phones can be very detrimental. For example, kids videotaping incidents and posting on YouTube.,” Farina said, “While I understand that they are often the lifeline between many of our children and home, we have a strict policy about their usage. Once on campus they must be off and invisible.”
Mobile phones can be a very time consuming thing, dealing with all the issues around mobile phone and kids on campus - taking attention away from education.
“The other issue with phones, even at an elementary school, is sexting. While this may occur at home, the issue is often brought to me to resolve,” Farina said.
Farina also acknowledged that there are many other issues including cyber bullying that parents expect principals to resolve.
Hopefully house rules and classroom rules are in synch such that perhaps mobile phones are not allowed at the dinner table, or in the classroom. Keep it simple.
Most schools have policies regarding cyber technology to benefit of all the students. At Caroline Wenzel, the mobile phone rule is simple. Keep it off during school hours on campus.
“Mobile phones have moved beyond just being a tool for communication,” Farina said, “and as a result their use on school can seriously disrupt the learning environment.”
Parent Resources
- Banana Moments
- A Parent’s Guide to Cyber Citizenship
- Family Life in the Cyber Wilderness: The Authority In Me
- Caroline Wenzel Elementary
(Ref: 527-e)
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