Mrs. Schmeltz, Mrs. Ippel, and Mrs.Wendt are unhappy with the cellphone usage in the classroom. Photo by: Noemy Almendarez

BY: Noemy Almendarez

Having phones out in the classroom can be a big distraction not only for kids, but for teachers too. Each teacher has his/her own opinion on whether or not students should be allowed to use their cellphones in the classroom and the times they can use them.

Speech, English, and broadcasting teacher  Mr. McKenzie  said, ”I’m sure [cellphones] could be useful. However, I think it is safe to say that the vast majority of phone use in the classroom has nothing at all to do with education. The vast majority of use is clearly personal calling (in the halls), texting, tweeting, using instagram, entertainment, etc. If every student kept an honest individual log and the date was combined, I think the results would clearly illustrate that most of the use has nothing to do with classroom activities.”  There is no denying that phone can be a distraction. Art teacher Miss Faith Colling, said that students should not have phones out “when students have laptops.”

Mr. McKenzie gives insightful comments about phone use. Photo by: Noemy Almendarez

Teachers do have problems with students when they have there phone out during class.  English as a New Language teacher  Mrs. Rebecca Ippel  said that phones are “very distracting, and students cannot stop thinking about who texted them or what people are saying on Twitter or other things like that.”  English 10, English 12, and Yearbook teacher Mrs. Amy Schmeltz said, “I think it is rude for students to pay more attention to their phones than the lesson.”

Students get distracted with phones. Mr. McKenzie said, “The trouble is students seldom admit – and in fact LIE – when they are caught. When we are on computer, I can stand there and watch them on YouTube or in Google Messaging while they are supposed to be doing a Gayle Power Search for research. I can say, ‘You are not where you are supposed to be.’ They will look me straight in the eye and tell me they are doing their research. Seriously? I just wish they would stop what they are doing, get where they are supposed to be, and move on instead of denying the reality on the computer screen. Seeing the truth on a phone is far more difficult than on a computer screen.”

There are some advantages of students using phones in the classroom.  Spanish teacher Mrs. Constancia Wendt said,”If there were to be an emergency, it would be good for the students to have a phone. Sometimes they take a picture of a chart or something projected on the board, and that’s helpful.” Phones may also help students in school. Mr. McKenzie said, ”There are many useful apps that contribute to outstanding education. I don’t even mind listening to music during study/work time.” Students may forget to write down homework. To help from forgetting, Miss Colling said, “They can set reminders, look up references images, or check their calendar.”

There are also some disadvantages of students using phones in the classroom. Mrs. Ippel said, ”Students are distracted, students are antsy because they want to check their phones, students make fun of each other with social media, and students get very upset when teachers take their phones or tell them to put them away.” Some students may abuse the privilege of using a phone in the classroom. Miss Colling said, ”They abuse [phones] with texting, games, and surfing the web for classroom.“

The opinion of having cell phones in the classroom is still debatable; therefore, each teacher may have his/her  own rule.