Transcript
Does Using Your Cellphone
During Class Hurt Your
Grades?
Jonathan Mayes Photography
The next time you receive your test grade and it isn’t what you were expecting, your
cellphone might be the one to blame.
According to a recent survey done by Kent State University, (OH) students who use
their cellphones or any other electronic devices during class time, would end up having
a lower GPA, and higher anxiety. “That sounds just about right,” Andrea Saunders, a
French III teacher here at Gahanna Lincoln High School said “If they’re using their
cellphones in class they’re not paying attention. That’s going to lead to lower grades. I
can also see where that can lead to anxiety, if they don’t know what’s going on,” she
would go on to say. “I wouldn’t doubt it,” said sophomore Jesse McAndrew, “ Cellphones
can really prohibit our learning,” he said.
Source: Blog.chron.com
“That’s a complex statement,” Jennifer Candor- a U.S. History and World War II teacher
said. She believes that cellphones can be used as a tool in the classroom, such as “fact
checking” some information being said in class, but only when she says the students’
can. “I want them focused in on their learning…as a broad sweeping statement, I find it
interesting, but there are some holes in it,” she said.
Everyone would agree that inappropriate cellphone usage in class is not a good idea at
all, and all agreed why teachers have strict policies. Sophomore Bailey McCoy agreed,
saying you might not concentrate as much and in return you will not get the whole
learning process. Sophomore Autumn McDougle echoed those words by saying you
don’t really pay attention and you don’t get the full lesson plan if you use your phone.
Using your cellphone in class is not always a bad thing. In fact, there are many
advantages of utilizing your phone during the appropriate time in a classroom. “If you
don’t have a certain textbook or notebook or a calculator you can just use your
cellphone for it,” McCoy said. Candor also said students using cellphones are great for
engaging in certain activities and she can see their immediate response.
Since you can’t force students to stop using their cellphones the best advice Saunders
would give to a student using their phone or any other electronic device at an
inappropriate time during class is to put it away and interact with people face to
face.”When it comes down to it, the best way to interact with people, the best way to
learn, the best way to do all of the things we really love in life, is to just do it in person
and with somebody.” she said.”You’ll never go on a digital date with someone who lives
three feet from you, like you’re going to go in person, so it’s really important that we
remember how important it is to be present with people.”
Jonathan Mayes