Mobile phones in the classroom

It is felt that a ban on phones will improve the physical activity of students

Should mobile phones be allowed in classrooms? The debate on the issue continues in Australia.

The interest in the subject has come up with the French Government banning mobile phones, tablets and smart watches at school for all children under 15 in France last month. It is the fulfilment of an election pledge by the French President Emanuel Macron last year when he promised to try to help the country’s phone-addicted children and deal with classroom distraction and bulling. It is felt that a ban on phones will improve the physical activity of students.

High schools are allowed to introduce part or total bans for students between the ages 15-18. French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has been quoted as saying the move was designed to limit distractions and cyber bullying, as well as encouraging children to socialise. “These days the children don’t play at break time anymore,” he said. “They are just all in front of their smartphones and from an educational point of view that’s a problem.” A report from the British C e n t re of Economic Performance has found banning mobile phone in school improved students’ performance by more than 6%. Banning mobile phones improves outcomes for the low-achieving students the most and has no significant impact on high achievers, the report has said. Currently, in Australia individual schools are allowed to set their own mobile phone guidelines in the different states, even though research has shown struggling students get better marks once smartphones are removed from schools.

While educational experts have called for a total ban on mobile phones in Australian primary schools, there are others who do not agree on such a ban. Educational experts point out that a ban would ensure children are not distracted, socially isolated or bullied using the technology.

A We s t e r n Syd n e y University technology and learning researcher has said an outright ban on smartphones would not eliminate bullying behaviour and could have a chilling effect on students, particularly in high schools. While saying that a “clear ban” on smartphones in primary schools “would be the easiest for everyone,” a University of New South Wales education professor also recommended educating students to regulate their use of technology. “I have heard hundreds of stories from teachers here and abroad how having your smartphone in your pocket and sensing the incoming messages vibrating (distracts) students’ attention from learning,” he said. “Many teachers are upset that they have to serve as police officers, hunting down misusers and those who violate in-school or classroombased rules,” he added.