A simple unassuming blank screen, one touch, and it’s on — a whole other world at your fingertips. The urge to check chiming notifications, delve into your feed or press play on just one more episode never goes away. Everyone at some point is enticed to choose a fun distraction over a class lecture or presentation.
“I don’t play games during class but I do notice [that] some people play,” said junior Nolan Sarmiento. “[Advanced Placement Biology and A.P. U.S. History] are the stricter classes when it comes to electronics, so I can’t use my phone for two out of my six periods.”
Many teachers, like Advancement Via Individual Determination teachers Victoria Daniel and Tiffany Chiaro, who also teach A.P. English Language and AS English respectively, have implemented the use of physical device holders like phone jails, which lock up a phone in a small cage in order to further regulate student behavior regarding personal device use. Chemistry and biotechnology teacher Leigh-Anne Ecklund uses a phone cubicle, in which students must place their phones in at the beginning of class.
“[Underclassmen are] not able to control their distractions as well as the juniors and seniors”
Others like A.P. Calculus and Algebra 2 teacher Adam Jacobs feel that this issue is primarily concentrated in underclassmen. At the back of Mr. Jacobs’ class hangs a phone organizer where each freshman and sophomore slots their phone into a pouch.
“For younger classes [like] my freshmen, I have them put their phones in the phone slot because they’re not as able to control their distractions as well as juniors and seniors.” Jacobs said.
Instead of viewing them as solely negative distractions for class, Jacobs feels that phones can help upperclassmen learn.
“In my calculus classes, phones sometimes [increase] productivity, because [students are] using their phones to check answers or take pictures of the notes and things of that nature,” Jacobs said. “In algebra, we don’t have as many uses for the phone in that respect.”
After being questioned on whether or not they would appreciate the freedom to have free use of phones in class, most students stated that they would appreciate such a level of freedom.
“I notice others playing games on their laptops because they get bored when they are finished with all their school work”
At San Mateo High School, students are required to use a ‘Yondr pouch’, which locks their phone away from usage. If students are caught using their phones during school hours, they will be confiscated. Phones are essentially taken away at the start of the day and only returned once school is over.
“Three of my classes allow for free use of Chromebooks or laptops at any time [and] three of them don’t,” said San Mateo senior Ricky Cao.
While restrictions such as the ‘Yondr pouch’ might seem to stop unsanctioned technology use, Cao has noticed otherwise.
“I do play games on my school chromebook,” Cao said. “I notice others playing games on their laptops because they get bored when they are finished with all their school work.”
Regardless of rules, some students seem to find ways to use their phones or other devices in order to pass the time. However, as long as overall work and productivity are not too badly affected, a majority of students and teachers do not have an issue with their use.
Written by Nicole Chen
Im a student in San Mateo high school and when I’m done with my work I get bored and I use my computer and I see other students do it too because we have our phones yondr and we should use our phones because we can text friends where they at in lunch and it’s not fair that Aragon high school has there phones. I notice people transfer to Aragon high because there’s no YONDR