Cell phones have become an essential part of our lives. Communication, planning, work, entertainment, and many other things are in our phones, and we can all agree that these gadgets are life-changing. Although phones are a big part of our lives, these are not the only aspects of our lives. The school’s values are education and the social environment that is created in the learning space and with the disturbance of phones that becomes difficult.
The new LSHS cell phone policy requires the student’s phone to be “off and away until I say”, which means that the phone has its power off (not sleep mode), and is put away where the teacher will never be able to see it during the class period. This policy was shared throughout the school at the beginning of the school year, so students and of course teachers should be aware of this policy.
Junior Mamura Asuralieval has mixed opinions on this situation. Since Asuralieva started at LSHS this school year, she is not aware of the previous policies but she agrees with the new cell phone policy “Off and Away”.
“It’s just, it’s more easier and you can concentrate on your work…Because like a lot of students can’t concentrate on their work because of phones,” Asuralieva said.
Asuralieva believes that it is easier to concentrate on your work. Asuralieva noticed that a lot of students can’t concentrate on their work because of their phones. Asuralieva also notices that in her art class, some students start to use their phones when they are not done with their work, which is something that should not happen in a learning environment.
Plenty of teachers in our school have techniques to reduce phone activity during class such as Asuralieva’s Algebra II teacher. He requires their students to turn off their phones and put their phones in their backpacks in front of the teacher.
“I like the system that my algebra teacher uses,” Asuralieva said.
But simultaneously she is worried that for some students whose first language is not English, such as recent immigrants or an exchange students because they may need to use their phone to translate words to increase their understanding.
Although it is hard to balance the limits and needs of our smartphones, it is important for teachers to proclaim their phone policy to their students beforehand and communicate with their students in order to make adjustments to students’ needs. Each student performs better in an efficient learning environment where students can pursue their learning without any unwanted obstacles.
