Phone ban doesn't sit well with tech expert
Queensland was one of the last states in Australia to ban mobile phones in the classroom, but a Queensland ‘tech use in schools’ expert is challenging this call, saying phones still have a role to play in primary and secondary school classrooms.
Following significant national pressure, the Queensland Government launched its ‘Away for the Day’ campaign with the start of school this year, requiring students’ phones to be turned off and put away and smart devices such as smart watches to have notifications turned off during school hours.
While the decision promises to reduce distractions and bullying in schools, CQUniversity’s Associate Professor Michael Cowling said there was value in having a more balanced approach to phones in schools rather than a complete ban.
He suggested phones and a variety of other technology could enhance students’ learning if used with purpose and creativity, and that rather than blanket bans, helping teachers understand how screens are used, and where they can be used effectively for learning (and where they might distract), is key.
Professor Cowling is renowned for his work with academics, teachers and students of all ages through his award-winning workshop series ‘Weaving Technology into the Fabric of the Classroom’ and works closely with the Queensland Chief Scientist and the Queensland Museum delivering his 'Professor Tech’s Intro to Awesome' program to kids across the State.
“Despite using technology every day, my experience with teachers and kids is that underneath it all we’ve still got an inherent fear of technology and what it can do that we need to get over.
“I’ve got a poster on my wall which says ‘Modern kids shouldn’t be discouraged from using modern things’. And I think this is true and I think they could benefit from a more balanced approach,” explained Assoc Prof Cowling.
“I can see how banning phones will help with distraction and bullying, but I also see missed educational opportunities.
“The challenge is how we strike the right balance.”
Through his hugely successfully teacher and student engagement and vast research in this space, Assoc Prof Cowling has given many teachers and students the tools to successfully incorporate technology in the classroom, following the philosophy that it’s ‘pedagogy before technology’.
“Teaching how to use the technology the right way is key,” he said.
“From my research and experience, students learn best with a mix of traditional methods and technology-based techniques – using the traditional ways when it makes sense and using the technology when it’s more appropriate.
“Imagine putting a VR headset on and be able to experience the Colosseum or the streets of Rome. That’s got to be better than reading about it in a textbook.”
