What's The Harm In Electronics During School? | Teen Ink

What's The Harm In Electronics During School?

May 28, 2009
By BubbiG GOLD, Columbia, Maryland
BubbiG GOLD, Columbia, Maryland
14 articles 4 photos 11 comments

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"NEVER LOOK BACKWARDS ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD!"

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Why is it a rule that students are not allowed to listen to their I pods and use their cell phones in school? What if these electronic devices are for a good cause? Here’s a better question, why can’t we use electronics at certain times during school? It’s slightly unfair and I want to address this issue. I believe that the “No electronic devices including cell phones and I pods will be stored out of sight at the start of period one,” policy in Howard County public school system is inappropriate and on the behave of other students we believe it’s an unfair rule. In my opinion cell phones and I pods shall be used in case of an emergency, calculator and for organizing. I pods shall be used during free time and music helps with concentration. Electronics should be allowed because of emergencies, organization, concentration and for educational purposes.



First Electronics could help in an emergency! Now I understand that emergency cards are provided for the authority to call in case of a real emergency, but that is depending on the situation! Emergency cards are used if a student passed out, having an asthma attack or even a seizure. Now an emergency card does not always work. what if the authorities cannot reach anybody on the emergency card? What happens to that student? Now if the child is really sick, having an allergy attack or even injuries; if this student is capable to do so than that student should be allowed to use his or her cell phone. Now I did an interview and I asked an adult “Do you think that electronics should be allowed during school?” The Adult responded “Yes at certain times though, not during class.” I also did an observation this was during 4th period! I observed a young lady, who was not feeling well, texting her dad because the teacher wouldn’t send her to the nurse. In this situation I believe this was an appropriate move because the teacher would not send the young lady to the nurse to call her dad.



Next electronics can also help with concentration. I pods can be used for many different activities if necessary. I believe I pods should be used for concentration purposes like for example a computer assignment. Sites like Cognitive Tutor, HSA Practice Online Testing, and educational game sites require I pods. As long as the I pods are not distracting anybody than it shouldn’t be a problem. Authorities attempt to overreact and not see things from a child’s point of view. I interviewed a student who agreed with the adults “It’s dumb for a kid in school to listen to I pods and talk on Cell phones, it’s also a distraction.” I totally disagree with her response. I also observed during second period listening to his I pod while working on Cognitive Tutor. This student, before he listened to his I pod, was not getting his work done and he stayed on the same unit. When I pods were allowed in only that class this same student was able to complete his unit on Cognitive Tutor.



Finally electronics can be used for educational purposes. Cell phones should be allowed when the student is using his or her calculator to solve an equation. Cell phones should also be allowed when a student needs to copy down an assignment. Like an agenda book for example. Students does not always look through their agenda books, but a student is always looking through their cell phones. The student should be allowed to use their cell phones to stay organized. I pods can keep a student on track in class, but only for certain activities. Electronic devices are not just used for entertainment; they’re also used for educational purposes.



To conclude I do agree with not using electronic devices while the teacher is teaching because it does become a distraction. So why not just let students use it in the morning, during free time and in the after noon? What’s the harm in that? We’re in high school and we should be treated like mature young adults. Students can handle using electronics when they’re suppose to. Electronics should ONLY be used for educational purposes, concentration purposes, and emergency purposes. Electronics again is not only for entertainment pleasures but also for something constructive. As I said before electronics should be allowed during lunch time. Electronics are not hurting anybody, so why ban them right?






Sincerely,





Ashley S.

The author's comments:
I will like for teens and adults to read this and give feedback. this is from a teen's point of view!

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This article has 93 comments.


on May. 15 2017 at 4:51 pm
APPLEPIE1234567,
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I LIKE APPLE PIE

shayboo said...
on Dec. 8 2015 at 10:21 am
shayboo,
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
die revive kill survive we will get phones in school

shayboo said...
on Dec. 8 2015 at 10:18 am
shayboo,
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
u can take special classes to help u with that but its still a pretty firm rule with the no phones untill students can prove differntly thanks for readding

shayboo said...
on Dec. 8 2015 at 10:15 am
shayboo,
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
school sucks to students everywhere im not very found of why for i enjoy teaching students but, we keep phones awyay for good reasons unknown to the kids or as the kids say "childrens" unlike many of the students i disagree with phones at school.well atleast phones in class before and after school is okay as welll as in between classes .not in classes though because it destacts the student and they ones around it . its a pretty firm rule and i dont think its going to change anytime soon but i will let you know that the goverment and our comunity is going to make school start 45 min early or 30.

naya said...
on Jul. 1 2015 at 7:47 am
It's a good help..

smurf said...
on May. 13 2015 at 4:33 pm
I have ADHD and music is the only escape from talking or not paying attention. Music is the thing that helps me

bruh.com said...
on Dec. 2 2014 at 1:16 pm
this is cool and i got nothing to say cuz im working on somthing at school

on Nov. 30 2014 at 12:49 pm
The_Book_Thief GOLD, Brownville, Nebraska
18 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
"And when you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Another flaw with your argument is that, with the internet, some kids could cheat on tests.

on Oct. 1 2014 at 8:28 pm
The_Book_Thief GOLD, Brownville, Nebraska
18 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
"And when you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

As much as I respect your oppinion, the fact is, a lot of people would use their phones/iPods to text each other, play games, and other distracting activities. Another thing I would like to disagree with you about, talking on the phone in class is distracting to other students and the teacher. While there are students that would use the iPods and phones responsibly, not everyone can be trusted to be a responsible, mature young adult. In conclusion, I agree with a small part of your article, and I respect your oppinion on this, but I have to disagree on most points.

Zorok said...
on Jul. 2 2014 at 7:40 pm
Zorok, Waco, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
Doing what's easy is not always right
Doing what's right is not always easy.

I totally agree, at least to listen to music. I have ADD ( Attention Defecet Disorder) and it does what it says, I have a BIG problem with paying attention. Yes there are pills and yes I take them but sometimes i just can't help but get distracted, listening to music helps me because it blocks out all the distractions. Have GREAT day :)

on Jun. 11 2014 at 10:59 am
yes but there is also another reason for why kids arnt allowed to have electronics first of all some kids cant handle the responsibility  so my point stands correct thank you very much

on Apr. 16 2014 at 10:19 am
next time spell agree right!

sammy said...
on Apr. 7 2014 at 11:20 am
i totally agree kids should be able to listen to music when they write or whenever they want as long as its not when the teacher is talking or distrubting the class devices can be used for educational purposes.

hunterblabla said...
on Mar. 27 2014 at 11:45 am
my school also lets us, sometimes even we r aloud to play games in class free time.

on Mar. 26 2014 at 8:56 am
very intristristing this helped me alot on a assinment thx 

on Mar. 20 2014 at 10:43 am
I think that electronics should be allowed at school beacause I think it will helps us more in school. I mean I get the fact that there are some people out there who think that we will be cheating in school with electronics, but not everyone does that. If I were to be allowed to have my phone or iPod at school, I would use it to listen to music. Well that's just my opinion..... .-.

Taverus said...
on Mar. 14 2014 at 10:20 am
everything in your argument is quite accurate. There truly is no reason for the school board to ban the use of personal electronic devices. If used in the correct manner, these items could be quite useful academically. For instance, if a student were completing homework and stumbles upon a question he or she does not understand, the student could use their electronic device, an iPhone for instance, and look up how to complete said homework. And there are other reasons how this would be helpful, such as if something happened during school and the child could take out his or her phone and text there parent that they are ok. The fact that the school board is keeping us from having these objects in out possession is quite exasperating to be honest. I mean think of it beneficially. Every day the world is getting more technologically advanced, and if we do not change, then we’ll get left behind. Schools around the world are already changing, some letting their students use iPads for research and academic app-usage. It is a big change to go through, but if the world can do it so can we. 

stand up123 said...
on Mar. 12 2014 at 11:14 am
Tis is a very good artical and i think students should be able to use there phones in class because some music can help some students learn and helps keep other people calm

Lovely said...
on Feb. 18 2014 at 12:16 pm
What does cyber bullying have to do with this topic

brittney said...
on Feb. 13 2014 at 4:35 pm
the percent is 50% but there should more like 70% or 60%