Treacle Toes
Time
I think you'll find that already is a rule. Doesn't solve the problem at all.
should pupils be banned from taking mobile phones to school?
- Thread starter Rollem
- Start date
I think you'll find that already is a rule. Doesn't solve the problem at all.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
They are banned in my school. But the kids use them all the time. In most lessons about 25%-50% will be listening to music on/texting/using somehow their phones whilst working. It's a losing battle for almost all of us. Very often they just blatantly start up conversations in the middle of the class. I've seen this happen in my lessons and in lessons with senior members of staff.
Last week I banned a phone - first time I've ever (successfully) done it- cue very angry telephone call from parent. Last time I tried to ban a phone the student attacked me.
I switch my own phone off during working hours. I don't feel I need it. In fact, I used to not take it to school at all as they get stolen all the time.
Now I keep it as there is, obviously, no phone in my classroom and it's very often the only way I can call for help if necessary.
Last week I banned a phone - first time I've ever (successfully) done it- cue very angry telephone call from parent. Last time I tried to ban a phone the student attacked me.
I switch my own phone off during working hours. I don't feel I need it. In fact, I used to not take it to school at all as they get stolen all the time.
Now I keep it as there is, obviously, no phone in my classroom and it's very often the only way I can call for help if necessary.
foo
dirtysweet
Rutita
is there really such a problem with phones in school though?
from talks with teachers saying it's not a big problem, and teachers on this thread saying it's not a big problem, i'm interested to know why do you think it is such a big problem. unless you're a teacher yourself of course.
is there really such a problem with phones in school though?
from talks with teachers saying it's not a big problem, and teachers on this thread saying it's not a big problem, i'm interested to know why do you think it is such a big problem. unless you're a teacher yourself of course.
Treacle Toes
Time
Your post sums up every reason why I don't believe kids should have mobiles in school.
Treacle Toes
Time
Foo
Funny that, all the teacher's I know(primary, secondary and in FE) hate phones in school and find them extremely disruptive in a classroom environment.
Yes, I am a teacher. After 4 years teaching in FE, I dread to think what it's like trying to get younger folk to leave their phones alone in lessons, the over 16's were bad enough. Hell, some of the mature students were repeatedly using their phones inappropriately.
Also, see Ganjigirl's post above. My idea of a nightmare.
is there really such a problem with phones in school though?
from talks with teachers saying it's not a big problem, and teachers on this thread saying it's not a big problem, i'm interested to know why do you think it is such a big problem. unless you're a teacher yourself of course.
Funny that, all the teacher's I know(primary, secondary and in FE) hate phones in school and find them extremely disruptive in a classroom environment.
Yes, I am a teacher. After 4 years teaching in FE, I dread to think what it's like trying to get younger folk to leave their phones alone in lessons, the over 16's were bad enough. Hell, some of the mature students were repeatedly using their phones inappropriately.
Also, see Ganjigirl's post above. My idea of a nightmare.
Treacle Toes
Time
danny la rouge
Ninja swords for all disabled people
And the kids understand the rule? They're reminded at the beginning of each lesson, but still "blatantly start up conversations in the middle of the class"?
What are the consequences of breaking the rule? Are they, for example, sent to the head teacher, who then gives them appropriate homework commensurate with what they're missing in class to be completed by the next morning, and writes a letter to the parents?
Disrupting the class - whether by lo tech means such as reading aloud from the Beano, or by phoning your mates - surely has consequences the kids understand?
spanglechick
High Empress of Dressing Up
ah, well it seems they are a problem in gaigingirl's school
it's interesting. gaigingirl's school sounds like hell (not just for this reason). Actually, my school has massive problems with behaviour. It's in peckham, it's been rebranded because it was about to 'fail' - consequently no parents with any nouse send their daughters here (see tanky - she lives round the corner but her daughter goes out of borough)...
and yet, the phones thing, we seem to have sorted. And truthfully, that's been the case in nine of the the ten or so south london schools i've spent considerable amounts of time in during the last three years.
Like all behavioural issues, it doesn't work if it isn't rigidly enforced by every adult the child sees once they arrive at school.
MsShirlLaverne
wearing purple
Ermmmm I think they probably are. More responsibilities and all that.
BTW, I never use my phone at work.
Anyway I'm not sure that's a good comparason. Adults tend to be more responsible, mature etc. Teachers have a hard enough job competing for childrens' attention as it is etc.
I have never seen anyone working in a supermarket use a mobile phone or even have one.
That was my point. Adults take them to work but aren't expected to use them whilst working. Tesco's was just an example.
Treacle Toes
Time
For example.....
Zero support from some parents doesn't help on this or any other behaviourial issue.
Yep, it would be helpful if the parents did so too.
Treacle Toes
Time
Not sure what you mean MsShirl.
My point is generally adults have more self control, are more responsibile, are more respectful and can accept authority/rules easier so comparing school kids to adults at work isn't a good comparason.
Sure some adults use their phones when they are not supposed to but that could never be as disruptive as kids using their phones in a classroom when a teacher, and other students are trying to get on with teaching and learning.
editor
hiraethified
Because they're children going to school, and school is for learning, not pissing about with phones, texting mates mid-lesson, taking photos and other distractions.
No child has a "right" to own a mobile, but outside of school they can have as many phones as they like, I'm not bothered.
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
I don't think they should be banned. When I was at school I took my phone in with me, and just used it when I wasn't in class. I wouldn't have used it during a lesson - at uni I only read texts on the sly in a lecture and always put my phone on silent. I don't think its any different to now when I'm in a meeting and people are flicking through their blackberries. It just depends how many people there are - the context etc.
If kids are being disruptive and using phones in class then I think the teacher has the right to take the phone away or request everybody puts them up at the front of the class until the lesson has ended.
I wouldn't want to police that at all though in an unruly school
If kids are being disruptive and using phones in class then I think the teacher has the right to take the phone away or request everybody puts them up at the front of the class until the lesson has ended.
I wouldn't want to police that at all though in an unruly school
editor
hiraethified
And get a mouthful of abuse and threats for their troubles...
innit, I work with teens and have to ask them not to use their phones and I get told to watch who I'm disrespecting
though to be fair, the vast majority of them say sorry and put their phones away
skyscraper101
0891 50 50 50
I won't pretend to understand what it must be like to teach a tough unruly class but if any teacher was abused or threatened for removing a mobile phone at my school then that person would be thrown out of the class and possibly sent to the head.
Any continued repetition of this would end up in being suspended. Does that not work anymore? honest question.
Treacle Toes
Time
It's not that easy to suspend students.
Treacle Toes
Time
I get the feeling some folk are willfully trying to misunderstand why there is no need for students to have mobiles in class.
Nobody wants them banned, kids have a right to enjoy technology as much as adults but surely not when it means they don't pay attention, disrupt others and distract from the very reason they are at school.
Nobody wants them banned, kids have a right to enjoy technology as much as adults but surely not when it means they don't pay attention, disrupt others and distract from the very reason they are at school.
MsShirlLaverne
wearing purple
Not sure what you mean MsShirl.
My point is generally adults have more self control, are more responsibile, are more respectful and can accept authority/rules easier so comparing school kids to adults at work isn't a good comparason.
Sure some adults use their phones when they are not supposed to but that could never be as disruptive as kids using their phones in a classroom when a teacher, and other students are trying to get on with teaching and learning.
I think we're at cross purposes. What I meant was that adults take their phones to work but aren't allowed to use them, I gave working on the till at Tescos as an example. You would never see someone on the checkout with a mobile phone.
I believe that children should not have their phones switched on in class but I do believe they are entitled to take their phone with them just like they would take their wallets etc.
I'm not a teacher and it's just as well because if the little buggers wouldn't turn off their phones I'd likely throw them out of the window.
The phones, not the kids.
MsShirlLaverne
wearing purple
But if they don't take them to school they won't be able to ring their mates as soon as they get outside the gates.
I don't equate taking a phone to school with having a phone switched on in class!
foo
dirtysweet
what makes you think that?
maybe some folk just have their own opinion which is different to yours.
danny la rouge
Ninja swords for all disabled people
But they're already banned in gaijingorl's school, so banning them obviously hasn't worked.
I have two kids, one at primary, one at secondary. In my youngest daughter's Primary there doesn't appear to be an issue. In my other daughter's secondary, the regime appears to be as I described regarding rules. And the kids seem to understand the rules and the consequences.
They can even cope with different rules in different classes. The English class doesn't allow mobiles being used at all. They're switched off. Sometimes kids forget, and a phone goes off. That gets you a warning. An actual phone conversation would get you sent to the headteacher. My daughter says she's never seen that happen.
In Art, however, the teachers permit the kids to listen to music as they work. The kids don't get mixed up between English and Art; they know the rules for each class.
In Maths it's even more complex: for some activities (independent working) you can listen to music. But in group activities, or when the teacher is going through something, no phone use allowed. The kids can even cope with that.
Now, much as I love my daughter, I'm sure she isn't a special case. I think the rules and consequences are just made very clear to the kids. In her school, disruption by mobile phone use is a pretty minimal issue.
editor
hiraethified
Yes. And?
Do they randomly emit loud ringtones, buzz, beep, have loud, tinny speakers and come with the added distractions of a camera, text messaging, games and a phone?
untethered
For industry & decency
There's obviously an overarching problem with school discipline. Unless you have the practical means to enforce the school rules it hardly matters what those rules are.
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