MOBILE phone use has minimal impact on student learning when effectively managed, a leading Mount Gambier educator believes.
As an independent facility, St Martins Lutheran College would not be impacted by a proposed ban on mobile phones in public schools, but it has not stopped the college from introducing its own guidelines to manage device use on school grounds.
According to the college’s policy, mobile phones can create a range of hazards when brought on school grounds including disruption to learning and the potential for bullying, intimidation and harassment if used inappropriately.
“St Martins Lutheran College acknowledges parents may wish their child to carry a mobile phone for personal safety reasons, however the right of a student to have access to a mobile phone at college must be balanced with the responsibility to use it appropriately,” the policy statement says.
College headmaster Alan Connah said mobile phone use had increased over the past decade with devices now often carried by younger students.
“It is becoming more prevalent for younger people to have their own device,” he said.
“This means we need to make sure students understand the risks and responsibilities of having these devices at school.
“Our policy is very clear and allows for effective management of incidents of inappropriate mobile phone usage.”
Mr Connah said mobile devices typically had minimal impact on the classroom environment when usage was controlled and supervised.
“What also needs to be understood is that – when used responsibly – mobile devices can be very effective learning tools,” he said.
“Phones can provide students with high-quality picture and video technology and so much more.
“The ability to use these tools outside of the classroom environment – under the direction of their teacher – can at times be very useful.”
The college allows students to bring devices to school but they must remain in student lockers and can only be monitored before or after school and during recess and lunch breaks.
Year 11 student Jemima Puust said while phones had a place at school, she said they could also be considered a distraction to student learning.
“Sometimes it is nice to have some sort of communication device with you because in a way, it is a bit like a piece of comfort,” Ms Puust said.
“The school’s policy is effective because you can send a quick message to your friend, respond to messages, chat with your parents and if your mum says you need to go home on the bus, you do not find that out right at the very end of school.
“You still feel connected, but it is not with you all the time.”
Ms Puust said one concern was the potential to misuse social media without the consent of other students.
“Although, I think if phones were banned completely I feel like people would just feel really controlled,” she said.
“With this (college) policy, it does not really feel like a rule but more so a way to benefit our learning with some freedom if you want it.”
A full copy of St Martins’ use of mobile phones is available at the college website.
Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales have already banned student use of mobile phones in schools with Tasmania to follow in Term 2.
