OTTUMWA, IOWA -- More and more schools are surrendering to cell phone use despite common arguments of cheating and distractions. However, cell phones bring more issues including safety, especially during an emergency.
“Lines would be flooded with thousands of calls from students all trying to use their phones simultaneously and it would prevent officials from being able to respond to an emergency,” said Ottumwa High School Principal Steve Hanson.
Thankfully an emergency has not occurred at Ottumwa High School, but they have seen some students panic during a gun rumor in March.
“Students may communicate information to their parents that is not accurate and unnecessarily get their parents worried,” Hanson said.
Parents want to be assured they can reach their kids in the event of an emergency.
“You never know what is going to happen in our society today. Parents want to know where their kids are, what their kids are doing, and if their kids are safe,” said parent and Ottumwa Community School Advisor Tammy Proenneke.
In visiting a 12th grade class, the majority of students favored cell phones being permitted in school.
“Cell phones are only a distraction when it’s a silent time, like when taking an important test or when you are reading,” said Jake Swanson.
“If you are quiet about it I don’t think it would really distract anybody else anyways,” said Maria Jaime.
However, some students did have dissenting opinions.
“I think cell phones are a huge distraction in schools,” said Brianna Caudill.
“It’s not about an emergency, it’s not about talking to parents, it’s a social agenda,” said Samantha Smart.
Cell phones also have the potential to serve as tool to provide a better education.
Students and administrators recognize the technology in cell phones offers educational benefits.
“When you talk about schools wanting to put a laptop in every student’s hands, or to put technology or information access into the hands of students, nowadays many students have that already, it’s called a cell phone,” Hanson said.
“I think with texting Google and stuff you can find the answers easier,” Caudill said.
“It’s also an effective tool if you’re in some kind of business classes you can use your cell phones to call businesses,” Swanson said.
The students KTVO talked with acknowledged cheating is and issues with phones in their school and one girl said a girl came up to her earlier in the day bragging about how she put all the answers on her phone.
While bullying has been around forever, Hanson said cyber bullying through text messages and the internet are a common issue they deal with today. He notes students don’t even need to be in the same building to be harassing one another.
Cell phones bring both educational opportunities and challenges to administrators. What are you opinions? We invite your comments below.