EDUCATION
19 S
trict new laws banning the use of mobile phones in schools for children under the age of 15 have been introduced in France as part of a government drive to prevent bullying and improve academic focus. Students at primary and middle schools have to leave their phones at home or switch them off when they arrive for the academic day after a ‘detox’ law was passed in a bid to help children focus on lessons, improve social skills and reduce social media use.
The legislation, allowing children to ‘disconnect’ from the digital world, was introduced in September following concerns for a younger generation increasingly addicted to screen time.
The UK and Scottish Governments have said it is up to individual head teachers to decide if a ban on smart phones in the classroom is the way forward to improve mental health, social interaction and learning for their pupils. Some Independent schools in Scotland believe this to be the case and have brought in a blanket ban on the use of mobiles and other electronic devices during the academic day.
Glenalmond College was one of the first schools in Scotland to introduce a permanent ban on smartphones during the academic day after a trial showed pupils were less distracted in class, better behaved and more socially interactive.
Sub Warden Gareth O’Neill said the benefits of a phone-free environment during the school day had been immediately beneficial since the policy was introduced in September.
Phones are now locked away until the end of the academic day.
“We have banned phones but this doesn't mean an eradication of digital technology in lessons, almost the opposite in fact. We are aiming to educate the pupils in a much better and more appropriate use of digital technology such as Chrome books and an upgrade of the internet connection, to aid their learning,” explained Mr O’Neill. Edinburgh’s George Heriot School has always had a strict no phone policy and any student found to break the rule is issued with a Saturday morning detention. Principal Lesley Franklin said it was not difficult to see why mobile phones cause a distraction and interfere with learning which is why the ban “is known by all and abided by all” at Heriot’s.
“I actually find the headlines about banning mobile phone usage quite amusing as it seems so glaringly obvious to anyone at Heriot’s. I support the French ban but for this to work it needs discipline to be a top priority and the responsibility of all.”
Other schools, however, are less enthusiastic about a total ban and see the benefits of harnessing new technology as an educational tool – even allowing the use of mobiles to help students - when appropriate. St George’s School for Girls recognises the benefits of
using mobile technology to support teaching and learning but is a phone-free zone outside of the classroom. The new approach is the result of a collaboration between the school, parents and pupils and bans smartphones during the day except when used to support lessons using virtual reality headsets and assist in learning. Privilege is given to sixth form pupils who are allowed to use their phones in the common room but nowhere else. The dining room is also a phone-free zone. Students at The Edinburgh Academy on Henderson Row have been forbidden from using mobile phones on campus for around four years.
Although there is no blanket ban on pupils bringing mobiles in to school, the devices must be switched off and kept in bags throughout the academic day. Rector Barry Welsh said the use of a smart phone is only permitted for research purposes if a student has no other option than their phone. The Head of Fettes College doesn’t believe a blanket ban on mobile phones would work within its school environment.
Therefore, the school has succeeded in creating a delicate balance encouraging the use of technology to aid learning whilst ensuring a clear code of acceptable usage for students to follow. Mobile devices are allowed within the boarding houses to contact friends and family in the evenings but there are strict guidelines as to appropriate usage. However, students are not allowed mobile devices when walking round campus or in the Dining Hall. “Because we want our students to look each other in the eye and talk to each other instead of being fixated on a screen.” ■
www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
