BY SABRINA WONG
While walking into any class, there’s one common sight that never fails to change: phones on desks. Phones are the newest advanced technology in the world today, but that should not affect a student’s ability to continue learning in school. These popular devices are always found sitting on top of the space that should be used for schoolwork only. Cellular devices should not be located on classroom desks at any time because they are a source of distraction and can be used to cheat on tests or assignments.
Phones lying out in the open cause students to become more susceptible to interruptions of their train of thought. One notification pops up and the temptation to look at the screen increases immensely. Distracted students mean less attention toward gaining new knowledge, and therefore a decrease in the amount of information they retain.
“We as teachers know it’s a distraction and students choose to think otherwise,” science teacher José Santiago said. “It’s a stalemate.”
“I think that [phones on desks] shouldn’t be allowed because class is made for full focus on learning,” sophomore Robin Thomas said. “School gives plenty of time to check your phone in between classes.”
Teachers are responsible for making sure they stay on track day to day with their lesson plans. Having to completely stop teaching to address the students who are too occupied texting or checking social media interrupts the time needed to accomplish what’s necessary before the ringing of the bell.
“We as teachers know it’s a distraction and students choose to think otherwise,” science teacher José Santiago said. “It’s a stalemate.”
The likelihood of cheating on any graded assignment, test or quiz is also increased by having phones on desks. Information from sites such as Google and Yahoo are accessible when cellular devices are not properly stored and put away. Even when students aren’t caught cheating, it’s unfair to those who actually studied hard to do well on their assessment.
On the other hand, some students feel as though phones on desks are actually beneficial and should be allowed. They say that it’s more convenient to just use your phone to write things down instead of actually using a pencil and paper.
“When I don’t have my notebook, I’ll usually just type some notes onto my phone,” junior Sandra Garcia said. “It’s faster and easier than writing notes.”
Instead of having phones fixed on desks, it would be much easier for students to have their devices put well away in areas that are out of reach during class time.
While this may be true, studies on university students proved that the old-fashioned way of note taking helps to process information better than if it were to be typed up via cell phone. Although writing out notes takes more time, people are more inclined to be selective about what they copy down. In turn, extra processing of material is executed because they must listen closely to what’s being said. Typing notes cause students to take verbatim notes, which is transcribing everything word-for-word without actually realizing what’s being written.
Instead of having phones fixed on desks, it would be much easier for students to have their devices put well away in areas that are out of reach during class time. At CCHS, there are seven minutes available in between periods to check notifications, and students can look over everything else during their 39-minute lunch break.
The space provided on a desk is not meant to be used for anything else besides folders, homework, worksheets, assignments and all other materials related to learning. Cell phones should not be permitted on desks at any point in time. They cause students to constantly not pay attention and they increase the chances of cheating. These devices have no place at all in an area devoted to greater education.
Photo by Carly Cuoco
