Many teachers are debating whether or not cell phones distract students in the learning environment or if it’s a helpful learning tool.

“When teachers are allowing kids to use their technology in a way that is enhancing their content area than it definitely helps,” Assistant Principal Katey Gray said. “When they are using it to take photos and videos and to do social media it is definitely hindering.”

Bring your own device stop light posters are posted in every classroom giving instructions to the student on what is or isn’t acceptable for cell phone usage.

“There is so many things just activity wise with like Google Classroom and Kahoot or other apps that are really adding to learning environment and are really changing the ways,” math teacher Kegan Darbonne said.

Other teachers believe cell phones are too much of a distraction in the classroom. 

“In reality and practice it isn’t a good thing because in my experience cell phones are addictive. And students when given the chance to look at them, they are going to look at them,” science teacher David Walker said. “What I tell my kids is I can be pretty entertaining, but I can’t be a cell phone. It’s going to win every single time.’”

Most students have a device on them in school and bring it with them to class.

“I definitely think it is a distraction just because of the advancing technology. But now I think a lot of students have learned to put it away and to not be as distracted by it,” sophomore Sarah Melton said.

Mr. Walker also sees a cell phone free classroom as a time for students to engage with one another.

“Unfortunately, what I see a lot of is students with their headphones on in the hall walking along. When in reality, in my eyes, is they don’t want to talk to anyone else and they are hiding in their own cocoon,” Mr. Walker said. “Hopefully in the classroom we can draw them out of that shell and talk to other people.”

Mr. Darbonne believes his students can use their devices wisely.

“I think learning how to integrate it has been the best thing. So I am not taking the phones completely away, but I am placing the power on the students,” Mr.Darbonne said.

If a phone is taken up it results in a parent coming up and signing for it.

After being taken up a second time it will result in a $15 fine.

“Just use it reasonably and don’t ruin it for everybody else. Just use it when it is okay and if you can’t control yourself, using a cellphone while working, then don’t,” senior Emily Pavle said.

“The purpose of a consequence is to stop a behavior,” Dr.Gray said. “ So make sure to put things in the right place at the right time.”