New cell phone policy states students at all grade levels will begin seeing updates to cell phone rules and procedures designed to reduce distractions during instructional time in classrooms.Starting next September a new cell phone policy will be put into place to reduce distractions during class. Students will be prohibited from using their phones in class. This policy will leave students frustrated and teachers relieved.
There is a substantial difference in feelings about this new policy between students and teachers, most students will not be happy having to go most of the day without their phones; however teachers will find their students will be more engaged in class. Here's what Garnet Valley high school student Brandon Krause and English teacher Mr Kocur have to say about it.
“I have a negative feel about it,” Krause said, “because we're old enough to have control over our phones, it's our fault if we choose to distract ourselves.”
A Garnet Valley High School English teacher Mr Kocur thinks this policy will positively affect him and other teachers.
“It will help me be a better teacher because cell phones are distracting to kids,” Mr. Kocur said, “it will be easier to keep my students more engaged.”
Even though kids probably won't be thrilled about not getting to have their cell phones on their desks, some know it may be for the better.
“I think students understand that it's a good idea,” Brandon said, “and most of them know that cell phones are distracting but it will still be challenging to get used to.”
Kruase sees himself performing better in school in the foreseeable future because he will use his class time better.
“They will probably be more interactive because they won't be on their phones,” Krause said, “they'll focus on work or talk to people they don't know as well.”
A common question asked is why now all the sudden are we putting this policy into place? It's been about a year since students have started using cell phones during class.
“I think the school decided to place this policy because as educators we came to terms that cell phones have a big impact on this future generation and that something needed to be changed,” Mr Kocur said.
Many students wonder if it was really necessary to put this policy into place. Mr Kocur thinks it most definitely is and will positively impact the future of our education.
“Yes, this is 100% necessary,” Mr Kocur said, “there needs to be guardrails and rules, I believe society functions better with rules in place.”
