For many years, cell phone use in schools was seen as negative and detrimental to children's education. However, with the new demands brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of electronic devices during the school day has become essential , necessitating the adoption of good cell phone practices in schools.
The use of these tools has demonstrated that it is indeed possible to combine effective cell phone use in schools with quality teaching, using educational tools that help students interact and add even more knowledge and practicality to their daily lives. For this reason, more and more educational institutions are combining technology with the teaching-learning process to achieve better results and ensure their students receive a comprehensive and effective education.
However, for this to be possible, a study is needed on how this process should occur and the best ways to manage the use of these devices in the classroom. With this in mind, we've prepared an article on the subject that will help clarify these issues and understand how use in schools can be an integral part of education, as long as it's supported by good usage practices.
BONUS: To facilitate good cell phone usage practices, a Cell Phone Usage Policy Template at School .
How can cell phone use in schools contribute to learning?
Within educational routines, cell phones can become a true teaching tool to enhance learning and help students acquire a broader and more diverse understanding of the world. Therefore, using cell phones in schools can offer several advantages, as we'll see below:
Increased engagement
The use of mobile devices in the classroom helps create a more engaging environment for students, increasing contact and interaction with new technologies. Additionally, some students may also be interested in technological tools and feel stimulated by using these devices.
Allows the implementation of active methodologies
The use of mobile devices in the classroom enables active learning, allowing students to move beyond being mere receivers of information and become active participants in their own learning process. With the help of mobile phones, students can explore the world in a more personal way and interact with new concepts through autonomous and self-learning processes.
Preparation for Innovation Personalized Teaching
We already know that smartphones are optimized every year to incorporate new technologies and features. Using these devices in the classroom allows students to be exposed to new technologies and industry trends, helping to better prepare them for the job market.
Personalized teaching Use of educational platforms
Using educational tools will help students progress at their own pace, allowing them to review content according to their needs and needs . This way, each student's learning experience will be personalized, meeting their specific needs.
Use of educational platforms
Educational platforms are valuable allies in today's teaching process. These platforms feature audiovisual resources, supplementary reading materials, interactive exercises, and gamification, providing a new learning experience with greater interaction and diversity.
Cell phone use in Brazilian schools: how has this device transformed education?
Cell phone use in schools has been banned across the country. In the state of São Paulo alone, municipal and state schools prohibit students from accessing streaming apps and social media, and from using Wi-Fi for personal connections.
Decree was published in Rio de Janeiro February 2. In this decree, Mayor Eduardo Paes establishes a ban on cell phone use in public and private schools in the state , with the aim of ensuring greater concentration and focus of students on their educational tasks.
We can see that these prohibitions have one main goal in common: to prevent distractions and disruptions that can be caused by the use of mobile devices during school hours. In this sense, the hope is that students will have more time to complete educational tasks.
Another factor to consider is that banning cell phones could also encourage greater interpersonal interaction during school breaks, allowing students to interact more effectively with one another. This could strengthen the socio-emotional skills of these children and adolescents.
We need to understand that these distractions are primarily caused by restricted and unsupervised use of devices during school hours. It's necessary to establish ways and protocols that allow these devices to be used for students' academic progress , without the distractions and problems that can be triggered by uncontrolled use.
The impacts on socialization and mental health
As mentioned previously, excessive use of mobile devices can hinder student interaction in the school environment , affecting their neurodevelopment and socialization skills. Therefore, mobile device use during school hours should be monitored and tailored to the student's needs and the school's needs , preventing excessive use and devices from being used for purposes other than schoolwork.
Social media, entertainment sites, online games, and gambling platforms can all be very detrimental to the development of children and adolescents. Therefore, controlling internet access is crucial in schools, blocking content that could be considered harmful and keeping students out of trouble.
Another issue we must consider in this regard is cyberbullying. Bullying in virtual environments has become a major problem today, with serious consequences for children and adolescents.
More assertive control over cell phone use in schools can help reduce this practice and prevent more children from suffering from this cyberbullying, which has had disastrous consequences for their development and even put their physical integrity at risk.
Brazil is the second country in the world in cases of cyberbullying, a fact that made it necessary to stipulate a law to include cyberbullying in the list of crimes provided for in the Penal Code, increasing its penalty as a way to minimize its incidence.
Challenges of responsible cell phone use within educational institutions
When used intelligently and strategically, cell phones can be a very beneficial tool for learning in schools. However, there are some challenges that must be overcome to prevent this device from becoming a problem . Below are the main challenges faced when implementing cell phone use in schools:
Reduction in social interaction
As mentioned previously, students who constantly use their cell phones end up experiencing reduced interaction and interaction with their peers. Excessive cell phone use impacts the social development of children and adolescents and harms their relationships with other students.
Drop in academic performance
The impact on academic performance is another issue that must be addressed due to cell phone use during class time. Indiscriminate use of these devices inside and outside of school can harm student performance and learning, requiring more effective control over screen time.
Anxiety problems
Frequent exposure to social media causes children and adolescents to constantly view content depicting idealistic, unrealistic lives, causing significant insecurity about their own lives. This exposure, in addition to being extremely harmful, triggers a process of insecurity and anxiety in these children that can lead to serious problems.
Distractions
As we already know, the internet is full of distractions, such as social media, entertainment sites, games, betting sites, streaming platforms, and much more. These distractions significantly hinder student performance and make mobile devices one of the biggest pitfalls in the school environment.
Good practices for using cell phones in schools
If your goal is to use mobile devices for education, it's crucial to implement best practices that will help with the adaptation process and ensure everyone involved understands the need for these processes. To help you, we've put together five essential tips for this adaptation process:
Cell phone always on silent
Even with strict controls over the applications and resources available in the school environment, notifications can disrupt routines. Therefore, it's important to have a rule that cell phones should always be on silent mode to prevent notifications from disrupting not only students' performance but also their peers'.
Suspension of use during important tasks
Cell phones should be used as a learning tool and only for that purpose. Therefore, the device should be put away when performing tasks that don't require it , to avoid distractions and prevent students from having their learning impaired.
Cell phone usage policy
To ensure everyone understands the rules and how cell phones should be used in the school environment, a cell phone policy . This policy must be clear and objective and available for all students to consult and obtain information whenever necessary.
School Cell Phone Usage Policy Template
In addition to complying with state and municipal laws, a school's cell phone policy is essential for creating an educational environment conducive to learning. By establishing clear and justifiable guidelines, the aim is not only to promote a focused and productive environment during classes, but also to protect students' physical, intellectual, and moral integrity . Furthermore, by encouraging responsible use of technology, the school prepares students to consciously and ethically address the challenges of the ever-evolving digital world.
The shared responsibility among students, parents, and guardians , outlined in this policy, is fundamental to its successful implementation. By guiding students on the appropriate use of mobile networks and devices, and establishing clear consequences for noncompliance, the institution reinforces values such as respect, ethics, and responsibility.
To help school administrators promote a safe and learning environment, a "Cell Phone Usage Policy at School" to increase digital security in schools and inform parents and students about the measures adopted by the school. Click here to download the free template!
Anti-cyberbullying and digital security training
Beyond the distractions present in the virtual environment, students need to understand the importance of adopting a respectful attitude online . Cyberbullying is a very serious problem, and it's crucial that students understand the importance of avoiding it. Furthermore, certain tools within the digital environment can pose a significant risk to these students, and their training should include some essential digital security
Internet access control
Internet access control will help schools monitor and control what content can be accessed through the school network. This prevents students from accessing dangerous and harmful websites that could disrupt their routine or even jeopardize their safety.
Technology combined with education
The use of technological tools to optimize the educational process has proven to be a highly effective strategy for several reasons. In addition to adding significant value to the school routine, the use of technology in the learning process can contribute to improving students' understanding and comprehension.
Combining the use of technology with learning involves not only an adaptation process but also a highly sensitive approach from educators . It's important that students understand the educational objectives of this process and why the established rules must be followed.
Constant monitoring in this case is essential to ensure that the process is happening as expected and so that students understand the importance of adopting a respectful attitude towards digital behavior and the tools that are used in the school environment.
The importance of the partnership between parents and the school
The partnership between parents and schools is a key element in children's development. The closer this relationship is, the better the results will be at the end of the school year and the more complete their academic development will be.
It's important to understand that education isn't the sole responsibility of parents or the school. It's essential to establish a process of constant information exchange and collaboration to ensure all objectives are achieved. In addition to family contact, ongoing social interaction with peers and teachers is essential to ensure students are fully prepared for life in society.
An effective partnership allows for increased academic performance, fosters greater family involvement, and ensures consistent, effective monitoring of the child . The result of this process is comprehensive cognitive and social development, enabling students to be fully prepared for adulthood.
How to block harmful websites on the school internet
As we've seen throughout this article, there's a variety of content that can not only harm your child's academic performance but also pose a significant risk. While the internet is essential, there are numerous websites and content that can harm self-esteem, cause trauma, expose violent situations, and even endanger children's lives.
For this reason, blocking certain content is extremely necessary. To make this possible, it's necessary to have a
specific control and monitoring tool for educational institutions to protect students from inappropriate websites, increasing student and educator focus and performance, and ensuring compliance with privacy laws.
With this tool, schools can effectively control access to their networks and ensure that students are not exposed to content deemed malicious or unnecessary. This control is crucial given the immense dangers that can be found in the digital world.
