Rethinking the Classroom Cellphone Ban
A middle school teacher argues that banning cellphones from classrooms is a missed opportunity to promote digital citizenship and authentic student engagement
The recent law enacted in Missouri to completely ban smartphones from school buildings has sparked a debate about the role of technology in education. As a middle school civics teacher, Dan Clark believes that a complete cellphone ban is a missed opportunity to promote digital citizenship and authentic student engagement.
The Case Against the Ban
Clark argues that instead of banning cellphones, schools should focus on teaching students how to use them responsibly and effectively. He believes that cellphones can be a powerful tool for learning, allowing students to connect with the broader world around them and engage with real-life stories concerning media literacy, politics, and advocacy.
The potential for distraction and the rise of issues such as cyberbullying and inappropriate digital content are often cited as reasons for banning cellphones from classrooms. However, Clark argues that it is not the tool itself, but the content consumed, that has an impact. He believes that by teaching students how to use cellphones responsibly, schools can help them build positive connections, create new and exciting ways to express themselves, and connect with information in ways never seen before.
Teaching Digital Citizenship
Clark's experience with a yearlong program called Youth 2 Lead, where students were tasked with identifying and selecting a problem in their community and taking action to address it, highlights the importance of teaching digital citizenship. The students in the program believed that social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram were the best way to reach people and make their voices heard. However, due to the cellphone ban, they were forced to find alternative methods, which limited the authenticity of their learning.
Alternative Solutions
Clark argues that instead of a statewide ban, schools should implement alternative solutions that provide flexibility and allow teachers to choose when and how technology is used in the classroom. Some possible solutions include using products such as Yondr, which allow students to store their phones in protective pouches that can be unlocked by the teacher when needed, or implementing turn-in systems where students turn in their phones at the start of class and retrieve them after.
By taking a more active role in teaching digital citizenship and literacy, schools can help students use technology responsibly and effectively. This can include teaching students how to evaluate online sources, create digital content, and engage with others online in a respectful and responsible manner. By doing so, schools can help students navigate the digital world and prepare them for success in an increasingly technological society.
