EdTech Presentation: The Role of Cell-Phones in the Classroom

Nick Parker, Willem Bronkhorst, Lindsey Leavett-Brown, and Emma Hillian

Our project looked at Cell Phones in schools including positive and negative effects on students and teachers and policies implemented by schools in Victoria, Saanich and Sooke. One of our sources looks at students at risk of being homeless who had previous drug use. This source actually identified the benefit of having a cell phone to high risk students because it kept them in contact with health supports and other member of a support system. 

We included another source by Jonathan Haidt called “Get Phones Out of Schools Now” as well as citing the book by the same author, “The Anxious Generation.” Haidt is concerned that teens who use devices are missing out on friendships and risky play and in turn are suffering from anxiety, depression and other disorders. 

An article from CNN reported on the hundreds of daily notifications teens are getting on their phones.

This research shows how even having a smartphone physically nearby produces a lack of focus. 

This article explains how “Smartphone Use Gradually Leads to Addiction” because of the release of dopamine while using a device.

This source explains the effect of blue light on sleep and this article connects the use of a device before bed to lack of sleep. 

This article from the Canadian Medical Association also focuses on the mental health of youth as does this Canadian longitudinal study. 

This textbook from our Sociology class looks at the impacts on the relationships between students and teachers of cell phones. 

We looked at cell phone policies in schools in BC and learned that teachers can use their own discretion in using cell phones during instructional time in SD61. In Sooke there is restricted use of cell phones after grade 9 and in Saanich it is much the same, students must have the invitation of an adult to use a device. 

We included some information on how Austrailia’s ban on social media went.