I don’t get it. Only now are schools considering banning cellphones from class? And that’s controversial? Teachers don’t allow reading comic books, playing tic tac toe, listening to music, etc. in class. Why would the constant distraction of cellphones be allowed? For communication during a school-shooter incident will likely be the reason in a parent lawsuit, and that has merit, but there’s gotta be a way to address this issue besides allowing free access to the internet during English class!
@CinnamonGirlE Ours was the standard stuff: “ did you bring enough gum for the entire class”? Does it look like I’m rocking a teachers salary?
Couldn’t agree more.
I’m intolerant of adults who will interrupt ANYTHING with cell phone and watch device obsessions.
How do kids, with short attention span, learn anything while on their devices?
@johnldeboer Similar to states now banning their use while driving. But, of course, cell phone companies lobbied with lots of money to stop it when cell phones first came out. Wouldn't want to stifle profits....
@johnldeboer They tried banning them here years ago but parents went ballistic. Most kids are very respectful about it and many teachers use them to help in class. They tried providing google netbooks or pads or whatever. But there are never enough, some are broken, and they time out and don't work after 2 years or something. Privacy is also an issue.
@Klaatu_Veratta_Nectarine But strange as it may seem, there are students who don’t have cellphones, iPads, or laptops. So if the teacher depends on such devices for instruction, some students will be left out. If the school decides technology is required in the classroom, they should supply the devices to all - without Apps!
@johnldeboer Yup. And thats why they have the Google pads or chromebooks or whatever. The school here went to all Google docs. Their writings are shared and the students read other students papers to critique and do shared assignments. We moved from a place with no internet and I told the teachers when we moved my kids don't have a computer. She asked if we are Amish. 
I get it. Even the textbooks here are on Google docs. They don't have enough physical to share.
@johnldeboer Our library is within walking distance to the school and it's filled every day after school with kids from low income apartments. When Covid happened kids were outside taco bell sitting on the side walk to get WiFi to go to class. Not joking. It's not great. And this is a pretty wealthy district.
@johnldeboer Then they would have to have people that could repair them and maintain them. Afaik this district has only ever had one IT employee. The kids repair almost everything and understand it better than the teachers. Not disagreeing just saying it has become this way because money.
@johnldeboer I retired from teaching high school about 15 years ago. I subbed until Covid hit in spring 2020. The biggest battle I ever had was getting students to disengage from their phones. There was so little I could do to combat it. Parents wanted them to have it and were often the worst offenders I texting AND CALLING their kids during class! I know it’s gotten even worse since. This has been a no -brained for so long!!!
@johnldeboer
When two of my grands became scared during a swatting last year, their parents got them cell phones. They can have them in school, but not in class. They leave them in their lockers. I understand both sides. I feel horrible for teachers these days.