RM Education’s Post

As phone bans spread in schools, their effectiveness comes into question. Insights suggest that while these bans reduce distractions, they also challenge educators to find balanced approaches to technology in education. By focusing on digital literacy and responsible usage, some schools are pioneering innovative methods to foster better digital habits. Explore how different states are implementing these strategies and their impact on student engagement and learning. #EdTech #EducationInnovation #DigitalSkills #PhoneBan #BanningSmartphones #DigitalEducation #DigitalLearning #DigitalHabits https://lnkd.in/eGsM7cSt

Many states are banning phones to help students focus and reduce distractions in school. This raises important questions about balancing technology and education. Do you think phone-free classrooms can improve learning outcomes? #Education #Focus #ClassroomTech

As a parent of a high school student, I’m very curious to know how they will be able to enforce this ban. If it’s one thing we all remember from being teenagers, it’s that teenagers can find loopholes to the rules. I would love to see an approach that somehow incorporates cell phones as a tool to enhance everyday learning. Teaching online safety, how to do a proper Google search, how to vet the answers you find, and researching skills in general would also be a great focus #learning #futuregenerations #tech

📵 🏫 Mobile phones in schools guidance 🏫 📵 What difference does the new government guidance on mobile phones make to schools? The short answer is not a great deal. Almost all schools have quite clear policies already, Teacher Tapp data shows this with the data suggesting over 80% have fairly strict measures around their use. The bigger challenge for schools is around the enforcing these policies consistently as part of their wider behavioural strategy. Greater difficulty comes when parents don't agree with these policies and challenge the school's authority on its implementation. On a positive note, the new guidance does at least provide school leaders with something to reinforce their position and the accompanying toolkits have some useful information that could be used to aid their communications. The Edapt team have published some more in-depth analysis on the new guidance here: https://lnkd.in/dz7mM8c4 All of this is not to say that there are wider concerns around how young people are using technology outside of school and the impact that this is having on their learning and wellbeing. It certainly seems that there is a growing groundswell of concern around this. What can the sector do to tackle these concerns or is this an issue that needs a legislative approach?

I understand the sentiment behind this…I get it. But Ontario's push to crack down on cell phone use in schools, reflects a concerning misdirection in addressing the challenges of modern education. While the intention to keep students safe, reduce distractions and enhance learning is commendable, a blanket ban on cell phones risks overlooking their potential as powerful educational and engagement tools…and…it just won’t work. What a ban will do is unnecessarily pit students and in many cases, parents, against teachers and administrators. Focusing solely on restricting access to social media platforms like TikTok ignores the broader issue of digital literacy and responsible device usage. Rather than viewing cell phones as solely disruptive tools, we should recognize their potential as educational resources and teach students how to critically reflect on what they access, in order to harness the information gathering power in their hands, effectively. Our focus should be democratizing access and rethinking how we reframe an already antiquated system, that is steeped in rote replication of things as they have always been. https://lnkd.in/gCUUnmjh

Do you engage with your K-12 stakeholders to gain insight on their thoughts regarding the digital age, digital citizenship, and digital literacy? 🤔 This infographic shows tips from TEENS regarding the use of cell phones in schools. ⬇️ 💡 Ask questions, get feedback, create strategic plans, implement protocols, analyze the outcomes, reflect, and change as needed. 🤝 #ConnectingOHK12 #OhioSchools #cellphonepolicies #engageallatakeholders #digitalequity #digitalcitizenship #digitalliteracy #digitalage #teammagenta https://lnkd.in/gmM8SUWq

Well, I don’t agree with this Bill, we should be focused on teaching the Educators on how to creatively use the cell phone as an Educational tool considering it’s no different than students using their computer. Students should be able to use their cell phone to engage in learning which actually requires the Educators to learn how to incorporate their lesson plans with the use of EdTech. But as per usual in the USA we often fall short in the technology space because we’re behind and that is even a larger margin in the Education space. Just recently, I had to plead with my department in the Higher Education space to move away from offering “in-person” learning and to consider creating more access to potential candidates by moving to an online platform. Now, after one year of being online our enrollment has tripled and we’re ranked #11 in the State, yet I received push back for 3 years. I say “No” to this ban & I say “Yes” to more training in the EdTech space for our Educators along with more funding to support this initiative.

To complement a push for free devices for students, @MortonCollege faculty have learned to use and adopt @creativecommons licensed open educational resources. Now, 80+ sections use #OER, boosting equity and access: https://bit.ly/4aWjVYU #HigherEd #EdEquity

Interesting: ‘The Ormiston Academies Trust, which oversees 35,000 pupils, is set to become the first academy chain in England to implement a phone-free policy during the school day. This decision is driven by concerns over the "catastrophic" impact of smartphones on students' mental health and learning. The trust has already banned phones in its primary, special needs, and alternative provision schools, and now aims to extend this policy to its secondary schools.’ What do you think about this? Do you think it will have a positive impact on students? https://lnkd.in/eJrQ_agu #phonefreeschools #education #technology

Considering mobile phone bans in schools: A call for progressive policies The discussion around mobile phone bans in schools has resurfaced, so it's time to embrace more progressive approaches to technology in the classroom. It seems counterintuitive to ban mobile phones while students have access to Chromebooks and laptops. What is the real solution, or are we simply shifting the focus from one device to another? Modern technology offers vast resources and opportunities for learning in today's digital age. By banning mobile phones without addressing the underlying reasons for their use, we are treating the symptom rather than the cause. Moreover, schools should not be allowed to dictate and enforce students' habits and cravings. In addition, the question of autonomy as well as the role institutions play in shaping individual behavior are raised. ( In this example, schools have a significant influence on the development of negative and disorderly behavior.) Not parents or home life, as schools regularly allege! It would be better to engage in constructive dialogue and examine alternative strategies rather than resort to blanket bans. In what ways can we encourage a culture of digital literacy and critical thinking while promoting responsible use of technology? The way we approach technology needs to be rethought and embraced instead of banning it as a distraction. Our students deserve inclusive and forward-looking policies that prioritize their holistic development. In what ways will schools enforce this ban on mobile devices? Suspension, expulsion or exclusion. Fine that can be disputed on the grounds that laptops in school are the same as phones. The school could be liable for the court costs.