By: Asia Morris
For many students, sitting next to a classmate for an entire school year without exchanging a word has become commonplace. The once natural flow of conversation has been replaced by the allure of technology.
Generation Z in particular has been deeply influenced by dissociation, often caused by endless scrolling through short videos.This constant stimulation creates a habit of needing to be occupied, which prevents students from being fully present in school.
Health Science teacher Mr.Kapp shares that “Having all of these new sources leads to ‘war with thought’ we struggle to think for ourselves because the answers are always at our fingertips.” He believes that the art of sitting in silence and reflecting upon ourselves has become less valued.
Students, parents, and teachers all played an active role in developing this new phone policy.
Many students, overwhelmed by distractions, are finding it increasingly difficult to focus, which has led to a decline in grades. During lessons “zoning out” also known as “brain fog” has become all too common.
Principal Mitchell explains, “There are many studies showing that we are unable to multitask effectively. The policy will help students avoid missing content from teachers.”
The simple transformation from paper to online coursework has been a new setting for parents also. Student’s grades have been laid out by parents, some not being impressed with lack of growth. Toll on grades has been frustrating with teachers as they work on the learning content.
Teachers are also feeling the pressure. Despite their best efforts to engage students they find that much of the information isn’t being retained. With shrinking attention spans and numerous distractions, students struggle to focus.
Some students have expressed frustration with the policy as well, noting that necessary sources for schoolwork on the chromebooks are blocked. A Senior student taking medical college classes voiced this by stating, “It is more complicated to do my college classes when I can’t pull out my phone in class to take a simple photo.”
Principal Mitchell emphasized that the goal of the phone policy is to help students develop self-regulation. “The goal is to have kids learn to self regulate, and stick to it.” Mitchell and others hope students will embrace this change by having more time with their peers and less time consumed by technology.
