Students here at Oak Knoll and in many schools across the country have been adjusting to the new cell phone ban policy that has been put in place for countless students across the globe. As many educators, parents, and students are starting to see its positive effects, they’re looking to go a step further. After a new op-ed was posted in the New York Times about banning all devices in school (including school-issued laptops and Chromebooks), the heated conversations about whether technology is helping or hurting the education system have been reignited.
U.S. test scores have been at an all-time low in the past two years, partly due to the effects Covid 19 has had on the early stages of learning, and as Dr. Jean Twenge recently noted in her op-ed, the rise of devices and technology being implemented into the classroom. Dr. Twenge points out several problems related to these devices. She notes that computers have been a constant distraction in the classroom for students and teachers alike. A 2023 UNESCO report showed that students at Michigan State spend almost 40% of class time on non-school-related activities such as social media, games, streaming, and, in some cases, explicit content. Many teachers and educators have also shared stories of their students refusing to put away their laptops, and some are even calling it an addiction.
Twenge also remarked that allowing students to have access to a school-issued device caused a shift away from handwritten notes, which has been directly linked to better focus and retention as well as better performances on assessments and higher grades overall. In fact, studies show that students who take handwritten notes are 50% more likely to receive an A than students who type. While Twenge and many other people have been pointing out the negative effects that laptops can have on students, some experts are saying this isn’t a call to ban all devices. They urge people to consider the benefits that technology has had, from letting people connect during COVID to exposing students to coding and other engaging lessons. They argue that the solution isn’t to eliminate technology altogether, but learn to adapt and use it in a way that is conducive to the learning process.
For now, computers are staying in the classroom, but many experts and educators have been working to find ways to limit access so students only use them when absolutely necessary. Many schools have started to prevent students from PreK to 4th grade from having a school-issued device, while others have waited until 6th grade. Some other solutions include allowing parents to opt out of their student receiving a school-issued device or locking down certain content. While not everyone agrees on an exact solution to the problem, the majority of experts, educators, parents, and students agree that it’s important to adapt to our ever-changing world of technology and use devices in a way that amplifies curiosity and learning rather than causes distractions.