The average attention span of a student in high school is about 47 seconds. Many experts believe that technology and smartphones are the direct cause of this. One very important aspect of a good learning environment is being able to focus.
Incorporating phone restrictions in class has many advantages and disadvantages. Most students claim that selective phone use actually helps them focus and learn more.
Junior Dylan Johnson said “When I use my phone to listen to music in class, I think it helps me absorb the information being taught better.”
In some instances phones can be used as academic tools. Research from National University explains that slight phone use or listening to music can engage both sides of the brain which maximizes learning and memorization.
One key to helping students resist the urge to use their phone in class is to have engaging teaching techniques and activities.
Rebecca Strand, an English teacher here at KW, has a way to maximize learning that she thinks is very successful. Students must turn in their phones at the beginning of class to be marked present that day.
“Students focus a lot more on what needs to be done or accomplished…There are less behavioral issues because I’m not asking them constantly to put their phones away,” said Strand.
Most teachers believe that eliminating phone use completely has good effects that outweigh the bad. The average iPhone user gets about 47 notifications per day. Rules on technology can help students achieve academic goals, have better social interactions, and mental health.
Clearly, there should be a compromise between students and school administrators. In some instances, phones and music can actually increase learning and memory. Contrary to this, students who do not put school work ahead of phone use in class have been proven to struggle with grades. There is clearly a middle ground where students should use technology responsibly, but if they fail to do so, teachers are responsible for limiting phones and helping them achieve academic success.
