Cell phones are banned objects in the classroom. In some classes, second chances are limited for students when it comes to teachers spotting cell phones on site. Some teachers never want to see them at all. The current policy states that cellphones must not be in use during class time. By the end of the 2014-2015 school year, all of that could all change. There is a possibility that East’s electronics policy could be revised by allowing electronics in classrooms, which is sparking a new discussion among the East teachers.
So far, the teachers are meeting on Monday afternoons, anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. Though they have had no advancements, the teachers hope to come to a conclusion as soon as possible.
“The discussion is in its very infantile stages right now, and it isn’t leaning towards any one side,” associate principal Jeremy Higgins said.
Some teachers and students believe that cell phones could be used as tools in the classrooms. Instead of using phones to text or goof off during class, sophomore Sarah Wright believes that cellphones are great learning devices.
Wright says she uses her phone for translations in foreign language classes, for flash cards, or even for word definitions. According to Wright, it’s risky to text during class and not pay attention, but if cellphones were allowed, kids wouldn’t have to hide them, they would have them out. In result, students would not be so concerned about being caught, but would be more concerned about working.
“[Allowing cellphones] would probably help the epidemic of not focusing due to the use of cell phones under desks,” Wright said. “Students will be able to look up and pay attention while doing what they may on their phone. It’s also helpful when teachers let students take pictures of the notes on their phones to save for later, like in my econ class.”
AP Government teacher Ron Stallard also agrees with the points students are making. According to him, it’s important to make use of electronics.
“As teachers, we are not going to be able to get rid of technology,” Stallard said. “Technology is here to stay, so I think it would be best if we learned how to use it.”
Higgins says if the policy changes, then the teachers are allowed one non-negotiable rule in their classroom; say for example if one teacher wants cell phones to not be out during a lecture, then that could be their one rule against electronics in their classroom.
“I think we need to figure out how to help students figure out when this technology is in need, and when it’s not,” Stallard said. “Texting during class is a want, but [technology] can actually be useful, and it could be detrimental, depending on how it’s used.”
The opposing side to Stallard’s argument would be that cell phones are too much of a distraction. According to sophomore Jane Commerford, they could be beneficial, but she believes they would do more harm than good.
“The only thing [cell phones] would do is distract from the lesson,” Commerford said. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t like to be able to pull out my phone if I needed to look something up or if I get a text, but I feel like I would get really irritated by how distracted other students would be.”
For chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom, students’ cell phone usage has caused problems in her classroom. Her students frequently text during class, use them during tests and in general, distract from her lesson.
“My students know my stance on cell phones,” Hallstrom said. “When students are on their phones, they are completely disengaged from the classroom. They are separated from discussion. Nothing good can come out of that.”
Sophomore Anna Witwer believes that many students would be annoyed if cell phones were allowed. She believes they would perpetuate problems that already exist in classrooms.
“I really don’t think changing the cell phone policy is a smart idea,” said Witwer. “If students are allowed to have their phones out more in class, it would definitely distract most people and classes would not be productive. A lot of people already use their phones in class without the teacher noticing, so I can’t imagine how distracted by their phones kids would be if they’re allowed to have their phones out more.”
According to Higgins, there is no current time frame for the discussion to come to a close. Currently, the teachers will meet on Monday afternoons until they have come up with a policy they agree on.
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