As technology has changed, so has my philosophy on cellphones in the classroom. Half way through the 2017-18 school year (and 17 years into my teaching career) I decided to start collecting phones at the beginning of class. THIS WAS NOT A PUNISHMENT. I was seeing a decline in academic performance, motivation, engagement with myself and each other- it really was the most drastic shift I had seen in my teaching career. I researched articles on cellphone effects on young people, as there are so many emerging studies, and was shocked at the results (see below). From the rise of depression and anxiety, to increase in feelings of isolation, to addiction, lack of social skills, sleep deprivation and decline in academic performance- cell phones have their benefits, but also many harmful affects that we all need to be aware of.
My philosophy is this: Everyone needs time to disconnect from their phones. We need to work on social skills, engage with one another and be PRESENT. Even if we are only periodically checking our phones throughout class our minds are with the last message we checked, the last post we viewed, etc. We are not being mindful of what is going on in class and it is potentially affecting our academic performance, and therefore our future. Until we have the technology to use our phones for academics in the classroom they are a distraction from the learning process.
I want every child to be successful, engaged and have a meaningful, memorable experience in my class, which is why I collect cellphones at the beginning of class!
Teens and Dangerous Levels of Cell Phone Use
For Young Adults, Cell Phones Don't Necessarily Improve Social Ties
Teenagers' sleep quality and mental health at risk over late-night mobile phone use
What are smartphones doing to young people?
Teen Cell Phone Addiction teens addicted to their phones