Achi news desk-
Alberta wants to address the controversial issue of cell phone use by students in schools.
The province has launched a new online survey for all Albertans to give their opinion on whether phones should be allowed, when they should be allowed and for what purpose.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told Global News earlier this year, that he had committed to talking more with parents, teachers and others about the use of mobile phones in schools and is now following through on that commitment.
“Mobile phones can be used to support learning,” he said in a statement. “However, there are some risks that are of concern to the government.”
Nicolaides pointed to several studies that suggest smartphone and social media use “can negatively impact mental health, affect adolescent self-esteem and more.”
The province added that it is vital that it takes any measures to combat growing youth mental health concerns and that it will have more to say about the future of mobile phones in classrooms after it has finished speaking with parents, teachers and other partners .
The survey is open until May 3.
Calgary student Parker Froese with a cell phone.
Tomasia DaSilva
Advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones in schools
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Sarah Hamilton said it was a good idea to get a general picture of what is currently happening with technology in schools. Hamilton, the assistant professor in the Department of Education at Mount Royal University in Calgary, added that there are pros and cons.
The main drawback, he said, was distractions.
The benefits are the power of technology.
“They can be leveraged in very powerful ways,” he said. “But it has to be thought through very carefully and it has to be done with purpose and intention.”
Hamilton warned, however, about the dangers of going too far and too fast using technology in the classroom.
“If we just start moving too much in that direction without really thinking ‘what are those pieces that give us an advantage in learning?’ It is possible that we would be doing the students a disservice.”
Hamilton noted that there can also be equity issues, adding that not all families can afford a mobile phone leading to further problems.
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) told Global News that it does not have a system-wide cell phone policy, but schools are able to create their own cell phone use policies that work for their school communities.
The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) said it believes cell phones can be used positively in schools if specifically incorporated into lesson plans.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
