Cell phone bans

Should schools ban cell phones? There is a lot of discussion right now about this topic. It's about time I shared my thoughts.

The big thing to keep in mind is what I have been saying for years. Different people learn in different ways. Yes, phones can be a distraction. They can also be a tool. Should a tool be prohibited for one person because it's a distraction for another?

There are also questions about subjects. Phones can be useful if you are learning about technology. Should school-aged children be prohibited from learning how to use technology?

My biggest concern is if bans come from high levels such as states. Cell phones, if used properly, can be helpful. If a state bans students from using cell phones, you are effectively prohibiting schools from seeking a way to utilize cell phones for the benefit of the students.

My views are definitely more learner-centric than most. If students have the opportunity to figure out how they learn, they will likely have a sense of when to use cell phones and when to put them away. Keep in mind that allowing cell phone use doesn't mean that responsible students will use them inappropriately.

I try to be fair. The conventional schooling model is crap, but we are deeply entrenched in the model. Even well-meaning schools in this model have to embrace flaws. Within context of a faulty schooling model, cell phones are more likely to be a distraction. For this reason, I tend to be more open to bans at the school level. My primary issue is if a school is prohibited from pursuing ideas to utilize cell phones as a tool.