Smart phones and watches in school?

Should kids be allowed smart phones and watches in school? I'm kind of conflicted on this while there are some quite nice and educationally useful apps and functions on these devices I also feel they could be a distraction epically between the ages of 14-16. I also feel for a PE student a smart watch would be really useful for tracking their lessons.

Maybe don't allow them between the ages of 11-16 but an A-level student really should be trusted to have some self control don't you think? When I was at collage provided your phone was on silent and you were using apps like the calculator there was no problems. I have seen on the I watch there is also a school or study setting that could be implemented as a rule instead of the outright bans I hear about nowadays.

I don't know what do you guys think?

Reply 1

StriderHort

I'm old school so I still think it's mental kids are allowed to take £1000 odd devices out the house let alone to school, must be a whole new nightmare for staff.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Kids managed just fine in schools without them throughout history up until now so I don't really see any good argument for permitting them and a lot of reasonable justifications for not allowing them.

Reply 3

babyshark_hobbs

I think it's a really difficult one and regarding 'smart watches' I think it varies so much! If the smart watch is like one of the £20 amazon style ones where they really just tell the time, track steps and heart rate and that's about it, I personally don't see that being an issue and as you pointed out OP a potential benefit. However, the Apple / Android ones could prove more distracting with notifications/games etc that can be accessed on them. I wear mine during school placement (PGCE Student/Volunteer basis) and put mine on 'school mode' so it simply just displays the time. However, it is very easy to turn this off and it can be super distracting. Regarding phones, again in my placements (for primary school mind you!) and students are required to put phones in the cupboard during the day. For secondary school, if phones are on silent and perhaps in bags, again I don't see it being a huge problem, yet they can still be a big distraction.

As for A-Level students, the trust should be there for them, they are young adults and should be making their own decisions regarding phone use and how that impacts them. A-Level education starts becoming self-directed (with support) and at this time I do feel that these students should be able to make their own choices and the school should have the trust in them to know when or not to use their devices.

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