Cells Phone in class: Take them or leave them?
Taking it away is only one piece to a complex patchwork quilt where the misuse of the phone is a symptom of a societal problem where we have adults do whatever they want without consideration to how it impacts others.?It should be no surprise when kids model that behavior.
I would start with Fred Jones Tools for Teaching. https://www.fredjones.com/ This or another PROVEN system needs to be embraced from the top down. If your leadership has not made this (and it’s not just the phones) a serious priority, then it needs to happen at the site, department, or at least the teacher level.
Start the year with having the students create a Mission Statement and get clear on what they are in class for and what their learning environment looks like. Then have them identify 1.) the positive things they have working in their favor. 2) Next, list the “speed bumps” to achieving these positives. These young people know what is happening and they know what is getting in their way: Phones, bullying, little sleep, drugs?or alcohol, home violence, etc. This includes the electronics. 3. List what might be done (The Remedy) to deal with the “speed bumps.” Using TBD is fair because all the answers will not be immediately clear.
Include in these discussions how to use the cell technology for academic purposes. Students are well versed at using Google to find things. They can also ask friends at other schools who might be using cells appropriately in class.
This is an organic process that scaffolds as the situations in the year unfold.
For example, how many warnings before the phone is taken?
What earns a reward time for using the phone?
Build this into the Student / Parent Learning Agreement.
领英推荐
I’m just scratching the surface here. You are smart enough to turn this into a very valuable learning opportunity where students gain practical knowledge about creating and using a Mission Statement.?This is an essential Workplace Skill.
When it comes time to apply the Remedy, you will be facilitating what the students created and agreed to. Make a Mission Poster and have them sign it. Print out the Learning Agreements that are signed by both students and parents.
Parents find is useful to contract for minimum cell service and let students earn extra data time.
Get creative and be inclusive and fair. Share what works and fix what does not work.
Let me know what works.
Paul Ruez, M.Ed. | Restorative & Workplace Skills 8/2021