While the argument against legislation to correct an issue such as cell phones in schools is understandable I think it misses the other problems that come along with cell phones. I think many people forget about what other issues are at stake with cell phones. Sure cheating is a problem, as I can attest to having worked for a text answering service. I saw many texts come in during "school hours" for questions that looked like they were taken straight off of a test. These were the questions I refused to answer for ethical reasons. Cheating is going to take place and teachers and professors can prevent it if they choose to.
What I take issue with is that a student answering a text message from their parents when the parent KNOWS that cell phones are not allowed in school. This undermines the school, teachers and administrators. I understand that many people don't think administrators or teachers know a thing about what they are doing. Sure there can be a teacher that abuses their power, but at the end of the day that teacher is trying to teach your children some of the things that parents sometimes neglect. I've seen plenty of cases where the parents don't teach their child manners or to show respect to authority.
Cell phones also have other aspects that don't belong in schools. Sexting is inappropriate for a minor to engage in, and if I found that my child had engaged in that behavior I would have a long talk with them about why I think it is wrong. Cell phones can also be used to bully other students or involve drugs on campus. With any of these issues they can be addressed by administrators but when we cry foul for them taking an action we limit their ability to keep the schools safe. We should cry foul when students rights are being violated, not when administrators are just trying to keep our children safe.
On the note regarding banning of calculators:
I was told to refrain from using a calculator in middle school and am glad that my teachers did that. When a concept is introduced in math the easiest way for a student to understand is to write the problem out step by step. A calculator can cause problems by simplifying some of the steps needed to really understand the concept.
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Cell phone bans
While the argument against legislation to correct an issue such as cell phones in schools is understandable I think it misses the other problems that come along with cell phones. I think many people forget about what other issues are at stake with cell phones. Sure cheating is a problem, as I can attest to having worked for a text answering service. I saw many texts come in during "school hours" for questions that looked like they were taken straight off of a test. These were the questions I refused to answer for ethical reasons. Cheating is going to take place and teachers and professors can prevent it if they choose to.
What I take issue with is that a student answering a text message from their parents when the parent KNOWS that cell phones are not allowed in school. This undermines the school, teachers and administrators. I understand that many people don't think administrators or teachers know a thing about what they are doing. Sure there can be a teacher that abuses their power, but at the end of the day that teacher is trying to teach your children some of the things that parents sometimes neglect. I've seen plenty of cases where the parents don't teach their child manners or to show respect to authority.
Cell phones also have other aspects that don't belong in schools. Sexting is inappropriate for a minor to engage in, and if I found that my child had engaged in that behavior I would have a long talk with them about why I think it is wrong. Cell phones can also be used to bully other students or involve drugs on campus. With any of these issues they can be addressed by administrators but when we cry foul for them taking an action we limit their ability to keep the schools safe. We should cry foul when students rights are being violated, not when administrators are just trying to keep our children safe.
On the note regarding banning of calculators:
I was told to refrain from using a calculator in middle school and am glad that my teachers did that. When a concept is introduced in math the easiest way for a student to understand is to write the problem out step by step. A calculator can cause problems by simplifying some of the steps needed to really understand the concept.