High schools in Hillsborough County have experienced changes in their cell phone policies. Cell phones have become an issue as they are starting to distract students from learning and being interactive.
These policies include putting them up in classrooms and not being able to use them. However, they are allowed to be used during passing periods and lunch, which can be a controversial time for some students. Phones tend “… to become an interruption but I do understand it’s a convenience,” said the Principal of Steinbrenner High School, Tiffany Ewell. Cell phones have gotten more advanced over the years, meaning the policies have to often be updated. “We have to constantly keep looking at that policy and see how we are going to modify it to suit what the needs are for our school,” Principal Ewell said.
When cell phones started to become something that people revolve around, it was first just about being able to communicate. Now phones are about social media and spreading information.
For students at Steinbrenner, cell phones play a significant role in our education. Students use cell phones to access Canvas which is how they do their schoolwork and homework. This is why students think cell phones should not be completely removed from classrooms. Without phones, students wouldn’t be able to complete their work.
On the other hand, now computers are available to most students in classrooms. Computers have all the features a phone has when it comes to learning. So instead of using their phones for everything, teachers are now encouraging the use of them, which could benefit learning.
Cell phones are very distracting and are the greatest reason for disengagement in classrooms. However, cell phones are very important as they ensure safety and allow communication between students and parents in case of emergencies. Since most students have a cell phone and view them as a “necessity,” these policies might be hard to follow at times. Students are not the only ones to have an opinion on this topic. Principal Ewell even said, “I’m not going anywhere without my cell phone, and I don’t think that it’s fair to ask that you do either.” There are many different viewpoints for these policies from administrators and students. When talking about this policy, “When you go into that teacher’s classroom you are in their domain, they make the rules in there,” Principal Ewell said. She also explained she doesn’t mind if a student checks their notification, as long as you don’t get distracted.
When students are constantly checking notifications on their phones, they lose focus and are not able to communicate with their peers. Students must know how to use their phones responsibly in a learning environment to benefit them in the future.
These policies can effectively stop cell phones from being a potential distraction while also being safe. “As often as technology is changing. It is constantly evolving,” said Principal Ewell. Policies will change as technology changes.
The school board will make the decision whether to change the policies in the upcoming years, but all students can do is follow these policies put in place and wait to see what will happen in the future.
