Check your ringer at the door

In a recent discussion with some friends, we covered the topic of how "smart phones," should be used in public schools. Our conversations covered issues, ranging from -- should they be allowed, to the many problems they pose.

I will begin with the following declaimer. This discussion group was comprised of 'baby boomer seniors.' The school kids and their phones that were at the center of this discussion, represent our grandchildren's generation.

Any observations and insights are therefore, tainted by our age group's 'boomer' perspective. One must take into account that we grew up in an era that began with most families having one household telephone, compared to the world of today, where everyone has a cell phone.

The first argument that we tried to settle, was the simple question, should students be allowed to have cell phones in school? Most of us admitted, that while we would prefer that phones not be allowed in the classroom, we understood that most parents today, would have a very different viewpoint.

One argument that is compelling for cell phone admittance is that of safety. We live in the age of "lockdown schools." None of us could remember any such event anywhere in the country when we were in school, but it is all too common in today's world. Whether to get notice to their parents or to law enforcement officials, the value of student cell phones, is both a necessity and a reality.

We next covered the problematic issues that cell phones bring to schools. The first and perhaps the most common issue is that of "distraction." It doesn't matter whether you are in a school classroom, behind the wheel of a vehicle, or someplace as simple as the family dinner table, we all agreed that cell phones can and do, create an atmosphere of inattention.

Everyone offered personal experiences, where they had observed kids and adults, so engrossed in their cell phone, that they were unaware and oblivious to anything around them.

Another dilemma of smart phone use we talked about, was that of offensive or obscene posts. Recently there has been a rash of disgusting photos that have been instantly spread among student populations. It is like the wild-wild west, in the totally unregulated cyber world. Lives have been ruined by such offerings.

I tendered one observance that would have been a real issue for me as a teacher back in the 80s, had cell phones had been available. My question was simple. What would prevent a student who had a cell phone, from taking a picture of a test or worksheet in my classroom, and immediately distributing that picture, to other students?

Cell phones are not the first technological devices that became an issue in the public school classroom. In my generation, we spent hours doing math problems by hand. In the 70s a company called Texas Instruments, came out with the first hand held calculator. Almost immediately, a serious public argument ensued.

That argument still exists today. Can children learn the true basics of addition, subtraction, division, fractions, and algebra, if they don't go step by step manually, without the aid of a calculator?

Smart phones only further complicate that question. An Internet connected smart phone is like having fully functional computer in your hands. There is almost nothing that cannot be researched in real time on a smart phone. Why would a student try to use logic and reasoning, when they can find the answer at the touch of a screen? Smart phones and their use in schools, will be argued for years to come, but in the interim, we can find some possible solutions.

In many states we already have driving rules, prohibiting talking and texting on phones. I suspect that more regulation is coming in the future. Car crashes caused by cell phone distractions are on the rise, and enforcement of the new laws will increase in direct proportion.

I have the following idea to offer for cell phone use in schools. In each classroom, there should be a "check your phone" location. I compare this to the old west cattle drive towns, like Dodge City. When the cowboys came to town, they had to check their guns at the sheriff's office. They could pick them up when they left.

My idea would ensure that if there was a serious problem such as a lockdown at a school, every kids would still have real time access to their phone, to call their parents or authorities,but during class time,the phones would not be in hand.

I would also offer the following addition to the school handbook. If you use your cell phone to distribute any content, that is disruptive, indecent, or defrauding (such as transfer of tests or other materials), a specific set of disciplinary actions would be assessed.

I empathize with the current teachers of today. You are asked by the parents to educate their kids. At the same time, you are asked to teach them, in the obviously disruptive environment, that includes cell phones in most classrooms.

In my teaching days, the passing of notes was a significant problem. I had a rule, that when I caught students passing notes during class, I would confiscate the note and put it on the bulletin board, so everyone could view it. It was amazing how few times after that, that I had a problem with notes. Teachers and administrators must have the same ability to deal with disruptive cell phone use in today's schools.

I use a smart phone myself, and I have come to depend upon it. We would be foolish to think that this is a passing fad. Still, I have had to learn to use my phone in a civilized manner. For example, when I attend a funeral or other group setting, I put my phone on silent, so as not to disrupt. Shouldn't our schools expect some of the same types of considerations?