Should Cell Phones Be Banned In School?

Essay #3 Cell phones are an everyday device. “The number of student- and teacher-owned devices has grown over 3,000” (Schachter 28). These devices can be a blessing and a curse but are extremely helpful and convenient. Many students have a working and functional cell phone. Information is streamed to people as fast as the server will allow, and fast is an understatement. “High school, middle school, and even elementary school students in a growing number of districts are being encouraged to bring in the very electronic equipment they were once admonished to leave at home” (Schachter 28). They also are a distraction in some ways. Students getting distracted in a classroom has always been a major concern for teachers. If schools would allow …show more content…
Students are becoming lazy and uninterested in school and even everyday life. Many people are technologically based, and the world revolves around new technology and ways to use it. When using the “bring your own device” program in not as costly as buying all new computers. “These tech leaders also point out that running a BYOD program does not carry major costs, unless it is necessary to expand the bandwidth of Wi-Fi reach of the existing network” (Schachter 32). Placing devices such as phones, tablets, computers, and laptops in front of the students in the classroom gives them the incentive to try to learn. The students will then become interested in the information that is being provided to them and what is being taught. “Those who have launched substantial BYOD initiatives, and those who study them, are quick to point out that while these programs may become educational game changers, they are also changing the rules . . .” (Schachter …show more content…
In the past, students had to open a book and scan for the information. If the information was not easily found, students then had to flip to the index and scan for even more information. Nowadays, the information is at the push of a button or screen. The speed of the Internet might not be as fast as the speed of light, but it is a more efficient and faster way of receiving information that is needed by the student. Schools should still have regulations on what the student should and should not be allowed to browse to. “A well-defined policy should not constrain the use of any personal data, apps, or other content because the users own their devices” (“10 Smart Strategies for BYOD Success” 19). The devices are also able to download the books the class or the teacher requires. Bringing devices into the schools means there has to be rules and regulations. “The IT department also sends home a standard disclaimer letter noting that the school is not responsible for any broken or stolen student devices” (Schachter