Raudean Barati ‘27
Technology has become essential to daily life. From education to social interaction, smartphones are everywhere. But could smartphones be halting students’ learning and devastating test scores? Studies seem unanimous in suggesting that the answer is “yes.”
St. Andrew’s has embraced technology by using digital means as the primary mode of assignment management. With every step – from assigning homework to completing and submitting assignments – learning management systems like Canvas have nearly fully digitized learning.
Educators and students alike have reaped tremendous benefits from educational technologies, especially when it comes to productivity. However, educators have also noted that there are numerous adverse effects that stem from devices.
Mr. Whitman, the head of the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) at St. Andrew’s, claims, “The evidence is pretty strong that there are detrimental impacts from smartphones on schools.”
St. Andrew’s policies limiting technology primarily target the use of cell phones, banning them for the duration of the school day in the main building. Mr. Whitman supported the current smartphone policy and believes limiting smartphone usage during school has advantages.
This assertion is supported by a study by J.A.P. Roberts, I.H. Yaya, C. Manolis (2014), which found that “cell phone addiction can negatively influence academic performance as students’ attention in class is disrupted because of cell phone use, and such disruption affects their studies outside of class.”
However, Mr. Whitman also suggested some changes to the policy.
“There’s room for broadening some of our restrictions,” he said “Students need to work harder [to self-regulate smartphone usage],” an opinion that echoes the beliefs of many teachers.
Students are generally in support of loosening the cell phone policy. Many students have reported having their phones confiscated as the main building’s smartphone policy is enforced. Most violations of this rule occur during proctored study halls, in the hallways, and most notably during lunch.
Mr. Whitman said that cell phone use specifically during study halls is especially disadvantageous for learning since study halls are such a valuable resource for students.
Despite agreeing that smartphones are an issue and distraction for students, Mr. Whitman suggested another, even larger threat to learning – laptops.
“The laptop in the classrooms is the bigger problem,” he said. Since the laptop is more easily accessible during school hours and classes permit laptop usage, he believes that laptops are a greater distraction.
Mr. Whitman said successfully balancing the benefits and downsides of technology is complicated but important.
“It’s a combination,” he said. “Ultimately it’s up to enforcing our policy really well, combining that with student voice and input.”
Photo via InMobi