UNESCO, the United Nations agency for education, science and culture, says that “the mere proximity of a mobile device can be a distraction” for young minds meant to be hitting the books, not their screens.
UNESCO, the United Nations agency for education, science and culture, says that “the mere proximity of a mobile device can be a distraction” for young minds meant to be hitting the books, not their screens.
History shows that prohibition doesn’t work. Alcohol, gambling, and marijuana were banned, yet their use continued. Accordingly, prohibiting the use of misnamed cellphones, which are actually powerful computers, in classrooms will likely yield similar results. Depriving students of knowledge tools because they lack the social skills to use them in a classroom only compounds the problem.
Education is the better solution. Smoking was reduced despite great addictive pressure when people realized the danger to their health. Similarly, persuasive evidence justifying the utility of computational devices in class is available. Utilizing advancements in computation, including AI, should be the primary directive of schooling. Furthermore, increasing general knowledge will only be meaningful if it includes social knowledge. Proper respectful behaviour towards others can and should be taught. Teachers are there to ensure that individuals have the right to be educated without disruption from unco-operative students.
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Consequently, instead of banning knowledge, innovative devices should be introduced in lower grades under controls that are gradually diminished as students exhibit mastery in higher grades. Teaching students’ responsibility and holding them accountable for their choices is how we can make society smarter.
Tony D’Andrea, 91ԭ
Leave enforcement to the administrators and allow teachers to teach
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says teachers will be responsible for enforcing his new policies. What everyone needs to understand is that teachers, even elementary ones, have no tools to enforce these policies, and in many cases, they get very little if any administrative support. The misbehaving kids know this and take full advantage of it. That is why teachers are so stressed out.
Lecce needs to stop his fanciful political glad-handing and deal with the real issues. Teachers need to be given a clear path that allows them to teach. That’s what we pay them to do and that’s what our kids need. Our teachers need to be protected, not put on the policy enforcement front line to the point that they require stress leave.
Jeff Osborne, 91ԭ
It’s the students who struggle who get distracted by their phones
Premier Doug Ford weighed in on the proposed cellphone ban saying, “It’s not complicated: Don’t use the phones.” That’s reminiscent of Nancy Reagan’s advice in 1982 when questioned by a young student about drugs. The first lady responded, “Just say ‘no’.” So simple. But as Edward Keenan points out, enforcing a ban on mobile phones will prove “nearly impossible.” They are very expensive devices, an amazing source of information at one’s fingertips, a hand-held encyclopedia. As a very old supply teacher, I understand the concern that such gizmos may interfere with the learning process. The problem is not with the many students who have a work ethic, or academic aspirations. It’s those who are struggling in school, or bored, or who just don’t realize the importance of focusing on school assignments. So, Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s bark better have some bite. But he shouldn’t expect classroom teachers to do the dirty work. They have too many things on their plates now. Parents will have to show gumption in this contentious issue. After all, they’re usually the ones who purchased the phone, or who are paying a monthly bill.
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Garry Burke, Oro-Medonte, ON
Students know how to play with IT, they need to learn how to use it for work
Edward Keenan states, “But this generation are digital natives: they were born online, their brains moulded by social media. They don’t need to learn how to use it.” But that’s not quite true. According to the 2006 ECAR study of undergraduates and IT, students arrive at university with good recreational skills with IT, but are less skilled with instrumentally useful technologies. In other words, they are good at playing with IT, but aren’t learning how to use it effectively for work or further education. That was almost 20 years ago, and IT use is even more critical today. This is a problem that needs to be addressed and is being avoided.
Donald Philip, Severn, ON
Lack of respect for others is the deeper societal problem
The student comment about the ban being a deeper-rooted problem is probably a true statement. The biggest problem is not only in schools, it’s everywhere. You see it in the lack of respect for other people, the “no one is going to tell me what to do” attitude. Shoplifting is epidemic because no one stops them. People drive like they are the only car on the roads because they can. Protesters stop people from going about their day, because no one intervenes. Kids vape, smoke, are late for school and dress like they just rolled out of bed because they can. I could go on and on. Bottom line is there is no respect for other people or anyone in authority. When something terrible happens, you hear politicians say “this isn’t who we are.” Sadly this is exactly who we have become.
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