Thoughtful Problem #8

Some teachers have complained of students listening to iPods and text messaging on their cell phones during class. Students believe the offenders should be punished, but all students should not have to pay for the misbehavior of a few. As Technology Coordinator, you are asked to develop a school policy to address student use of portable electronic devices. In three-to-five paragraphs, describe the two points of view and the reasons to be more restrictive or less restrictive of portable electronic devices. Conclude with your policy recommendation to the school board and the reasons for your specific recommendation.

Response: Electronic devices are useful to everybody, if it is used in proper way.Younger students tend to misuse electronic portable devices and it can bring so many hazards mentally and physically. Particularly children under age 14, they are innocent, most of them are fond of amusement and entertainment. Very few schools are using ipods for learning purpose.
Some schools and administrators create a policy that restricts to the use of Portable electronic devices. Cell phones and ipods are banned inside the school in many states. If any student is found in violation of this policy, he or she will be suspended from their school. Some school allows only handicapped students to use portable pagers for medical reason. They are more restrictive, because of so many reasons. Most of the time, these portable devices distract classroom teachers and students from teaching and learning. Instead of concentrating in understanding critical concepts or learning, students engage in instant messaging between students and listening music in ipods. In some cases, school security issue may arise in terms of using portable device. According to Allentown school district report, any communication devices are found not only disruptive, but also to some extent, contributing to illegal purposes like alcohol and drug abuse.
School administrators are trying to create a policy that maintains a balance between students’ rights and potential distraction in classroom teaching and learning. Some schools ban pagers, cell phones in the schools, but allow palm pilots. Others allow these devices using in the school compound or outside of the classroom or school event, but prohibit students from using the classroom. Some schools allow students carry cell phone, but they have to turn of during school time. Most cases, Parents are concerned about students before and after school, that is why they want them to have cell phone or other communication device. Some schools mostly secondary school teachers nowadays tend to use the portable devices for collaborating project work purpose. Some research organization concludes that wireless portable device is a necessity rather than convenience.
As a technology coordinator, I recommend a policy to the school board that cell phones or other portable devices should not be band from school compound, these devices must be turned of not only during the class, unless there is any connection of teaching and learning, but also during school hours. In terms of necessity, it can only use for emergency purpose. I want to create a policy that can maintain a balance between students’ rights and potential disruption in classroom. If students use portable devices during class without any necessary reason, they must be subjected to be suspended from the school for couple of days.
The reason behind my policy is that if any parents are concerned about students before and after school, they can track themselves only. Younger children tend to misuse electronic devices by listening music and writing or getting instant messages during class period and school hour, it is annoying for the teachers and it can hamper learning.