Ban on the Possession of Cell PHones
In 2006 the New York City school district added a ban on beepers, cell phones, and other communication devices. However, in July of that same year the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council and a group of parents challenged the rule saying that a ban on the use of the devices was enough and a ban on the possession was unnecessary. Although the court’s decision was not made in favor of the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council and the group of parents, it still brings up the question of whether to allow the possession of cell phones in school, but not their use (Zirkel 464-465).
Dr. Anita Charles, the Director of Secondary Teacher Education at Bates College, conducted a study about using cell phones in class and the repercussions for doing so. After polling students, Charles’ results showed that students know that they are being rude and disrespectful when they use their phones in class, but they do it anyway. Also, Charles was able to gather support that shows that the punishment for being caught using a phone in class is usually handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the relationship between the teacher and the student (Charles 7-13).
This evidence shows that a good deal of students text even though they are not allowed to and know it is disrespectful. Therefore, a ban on the possession of cell phones as opposed to the use of cell phones may be more effective because if students are allowed to have their phones they are more likely to use it in class. However, they are a lot less likely to use their phone during class if they are not allowed to have their phone on them at all.
Enforcing this ban on cell phones would be a difficult task to accomplish, but could involve a process where students turn in their cell phones at the beginning of the school day and receive them upon the completion of the day. This would keep students for using phones throughout the day in order to discourage cheating while allowing them to use their phones after school to coordinate rides and such.
Dr. Anita Charles, the Director of Secondary Teacher Education at Bates College, conducted a study about using cell phones in class and the repercussions for doing so. After polling students, Charles’ results showed that students know that they are being rude and disrespectful when they use their phones in class, but they do it anyway. Also, Charles was able to gather support that shows that the punishment for being caught using a phone in class is usually handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the relationship between the teacher and the student (Charles 7-13).
This evidence shows that a good deal of students text even though they are not allowed to and know it is disrespectful. Therefore, a ban on the possession of cell phones as opposed to the use of cell phones may be more effective because if students are allowed to have their phones they are more likely to use it in class. However, they are a lot less likely to use their phone during class if they are not allowed to have their phone on them at all.
Enforcing this ban on cell phones would be a difficult task to accomplish, but could involve a process where students turn in their cell phones at the beginning of the school day and receive them upon the completion of the day. This would keep students for using phones throughout the day in order to discourage cheating while allowing them to use their phones after school to coordinate rides and such.
Zirkel, Perry A. "Calling off Cell Phones." The Phi Delta Kappan (2008): 464.JSTOR. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
Charles, Anita S., Ph.D. "CELL PHONES: RULE-SETTING, RULE-BREAKING, AND RELATIONSHIPS IN CLASSROOMS." American Secondary Education 40.3 (2012): 4-16. Web.
Charles, Anita S., Ph.D. "CELL PHONES: RULE-SETTING, RULE-BREAKING, AND RELATIONSHIPS IN CLASSROOMS." American Secondary Education 40.3 (2012): 4-16. Web.