As soon as the pocket vibrates, he stopped paying attention to the teacher during class and start thinking who the text was from, what it said or if was a snapchat or other social media message.

While students believe that there must be a cell phone policy because of their addiction, they don’t agree that all the different policies teachers use are fair.

Students and Cellphones

Many students believe some of the teachers and administrators are taking the policy to an extreme and turning it to a problem that is not necessary.

“I think it just causes a distraction for the student that received the text not for all the class, so it is not a big deal.” Nicolas Londoño said.

Students say they clearly understand that each teacher is required to have a cellphone policy. Most students accept that they take their cell phone out for chatting, but also they affirm that sometimes they take out their cell phone for academic purposes and they insist it shouldn’t be a big deal.

“I don’t always take my cell phone for chatting sometimes just put it in top of the desk because I am talking with someone important or waiting for a special information, also I leave it in the desk to see if I receive important calls and I also use it for  school purpose,” Sofia Gonzalez, 11th grader, said.

Students  point out a contradictory point of view about the policy, they understand that there needs to be a policy but also think that if you are using your cell phone it is your business, it is the student’s choice if he or her is learning or not and that doesn’t interfere with other students’ learning.

Also, there might be some exceptions, an important issue such as family problems or other things that sometimes might require the student to be able to check his or her phone.

Administrators and Cellphones

A simple message can completely distract you.  Principal Arbabi openly expressed his opinion about not liking the use of cellphones during school hours; he supported his statement by mentioning a study that proves that when you get a text, your body releases a type of endorphin that only makes you think about the text and it disrupts your attention.

According to a Baylor University study, cell phone addiction produces impulsiveness and materialism, which cause people to worry about material objects as opposed to intellectual, spiritual, or cultural values.

“When my cellphone vibrates on my pocket I get very anxious and feel the necessity to check what’s going on or if it’s important,” Sofia Gonzalez, 11th grader, said.

After analyzing the cell phone policy with students, teachers and administrators, they all had very different opinions about the policies implemented at school. They all had one point in common, the use of cellphones in the classroom has  advantages and disadvantages for learning.

“It all depends on how the cell phone is used in the class and whether it really is so necessary for a student’s learning,” Maritza Vanegas, former High School Secretary, said.

Administrators also pointed out that cell phones are a cause of disruption during class, stating that students are always tempted to check their phones every time they receive a text and lose focus  from what the teacher is  saying.

Teachers and Cellphones 

According to teachers, a cell phone policy is a necessity in order to control the addiction. In addition, all teachers use different policies regarding cell phones. Some of them don’t feel bothered by the use of them while others feel extremely annoyed by cell phone use .

“I use a cellphone policy in my class so I can have the attention that I need from students while I am explaining,” Andres Arboleda, pre calculus teacher, said.

Some of the teachers interviewed, pointed out that they do not care about students using cell phones except when they are in the middle of an explanation. Others just don’t allow cell phones during the entire class.

Furthermore, cell phones can’t be on opened on sight because they would immediately beconfiscated by the teacher, most of the time, or for an entire day.

These are just a few of the extents of how teachers implement different policies .

Conclusion

There won’t ever be a perfect cellphone policy that fulfill all the conditions students, administrators and teachers require.

The school should come up with a new policy, one that takes into account teachers, students and administrators policies in order to count everyone’s opinions and perspectives.

“I think that the school should come with a new policy because everyone should have a voice and a vote and is very important that  administration and teachers take the perspective of students towards cell phones” Sofia Perez, 11th grader, said.

And if it vibrates…. ignore it.