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This school year, a new policy banning phones during class time has stirred up strong opinions amongst the students at Washington. With nearly every student owning a phone, the change has sparked debates about whether technology should be strictly limited or more carefully managed in the classroom. Students wish to hold onto their phones, but the administration believes that the ban will improve learning. Students, however, feel conflicted, and while many understand the reasons behind the rule they still see their phones as important tools for communication, safety, and even learning.
Mr. Rodenkirk, the WHS Ceramics teacher, believes that the ban will bring positive results in terms of student learning. “I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “France was one of the first countries to try this in the middle and elementary schools, and they saw increases in grades, satisfaction, and even a lowering of suicide rates. Schools that have done it, like San Lorenzo, have shown improvements in depression, graduation rates, and overall success.”
Mr. Rodenkirk explained that he has already adjusted his classroom to remove the need for phones and he is making it so that students will be less reliant on them. When asked if other forms of technology should be restricted, Mr. Rodenkirk said, “I don’t think so. Devices like laptops and iPads are useful. Even with phones, there are times they can be helpful.”
Students, on the other hand, have mixed personal reactions. Senior Colven Lim thinks the ban might help, but not for everyone. “I think it’ll be great for students to pay attention in class and not cheat, and great for us seniors because it doesn’t affect us,” he said, pointing out that the upperclassmen are already used to focusing and are less reliant on their mobile devices. Other students worry about losing the ability to contact family members, check the time, or use apps that help with studying and organization.
Some argue that the school should focus on teaching responsible phone use rather than banning them completely. Still, others feel relieved, saying the ban removes the pressure to check messages and social media during class constantly.
As the ban takes effect, the question remains about how far technology restrictions could go in the future. For now, the school community is watching closely to see whether keeping phones out of the classroom will truly make learning better and whether the policy will need to be adjusted to address students’ concerns.
Aditya was in India until he was 6, and then he moved to Fremont. This is Aditya’s first year working for the paper. Aditya’s journalistic interests mainly focus on world news and politics. He enjoys learning about what’s happening globally and how political decisions affect different countries and people. Covering politics and world news allows Aditya to connect big global events to everyday people’s thoughts and experiences, which he finds very meaningful. Aditya’s hobbies include photography and pottery. He wants to be a civil engineer when he grows up.