Cell Phones use in Classrooms
Cellular phones are a grand technological invention that may have its advantages, in terms of guardians being able to contact their children to plan after-school activities and contact each other in urgent situations, although some more advanced cell phones may have genuine educational application and relevant technology for learning purposes, they have more disadvantages than advantages. They are a prime cause of poor performance of students and lead to social imbalance where some students can’t afford them and should, therefore, be banned from classrooms.
The primary grounds for cell phone use to be banned in class are; because they are a chief distracter to students’ concentration in class. The primary explanation for students failing in school is distraction in class, mainly brought about by cell phone use. A scholar with a cellular phone in class is distracted, inattentive and uninterested in what is being taught. He or she is more engrossed in to the phone. Similarly, when a student’s phone rings in the classroom it interrupts the whole class.
The secondary rationale as for cellular phone use to be prohibited in class is cheating in examinations. Cell phones have become more technologically advanced and most modern cell phone even have internet allowing students to use them to cheat in examinations by searching for answers via the internet. Advanced cell phones even have cameras which students use to photograph test papers and mail them to fellow students in latter classes. These cameras are also employed in capturing of improper photographs of fellow students in locker rooms and washrooms. Such photos are later uploaded on to social network or passed around school disgracing the culprits, who may prefer pressing charges in court.
Finally, cell phones are an icon of prestige for teenagers because text messaging, playing video games, listening to music downloads and chatting on social networks is more entertaining than listening to the teacher in class. Unfortunately, some students from poorer backgrounds may not afford this prestige and thus causing jealousy or envy towards those who can afford them. This may, inturn, cause social divides among students and could lead to social crimes where those without phones may opt to steal from those who own phones. Furthermore, it is iniquitous to allow those students who can afford cell phones to benefit from their use while denying those who can’t afford the cell phones the same advantages.
In summary, instructors have the right to forbid use of mobile phones in their classrooms because these devices are the major cause of distractions in class that leads to poor performance by students. They are a chief source of social disparity among students of different social classes and may lead to those students in lower social levels committing crimes, like theft, against those who are in higher social levels. Banning cell phone usage in classrooms will also help manage the problem of cheating in examinations.
Scaccia, J. (2011, September 23). Should cell phones be banned in school? .
Retrieved April 14, 2012, from http://teacher.scholastic.com: http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/debate/index.asp?article=d1211
Shaw, K. (2005, July 04). Students and Cell Phones: Controversy in the Classroom.
Retrieved April 14, 2012, from http://voices.yahoo.com: http://voices.yahoo.com/students-cell-phones-controversy-classroom-3387.html?cat=9
