Digital detox: Do phones in schools distract from learning?
Cyber-bullying, safeguarding legislation and classroom disruption... Are mobile phones bad for our schools?
Good morning! Welcome to the Armagh I newsletter, which drops into your inbox every Tuesday and Friday morning.
Last Friday, we opened the debate around ‘dangerous dog’ breeds and whether some dogs such as the American XL Bully should be banned from ownership by the general public.
Many of you were quick to defend the breeds, citing the close relationships their dogs have with their families, kids included… however, the polled majority felt that they are simply too strong to properly control - and agreed with a ban on the breed!
Today, we will be touching on a ban of a different kind. A topic that will cause many of the older generation to let out a large sigh upon reading the words; mobile phones…
Last Monday, the UK Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, announced that mobile phone use should be banned in schools across England to improve behaviour.
According to the UK Government: “If schools fail to implement the new guidance, the government will consider legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory.”
Read more: Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England
While this guidance only applies to England at present, it raises questions for schools here in Northern Ireland.
There’ll undoubtedly be strong opinions on either side of the argument. Many teachers will argue that they spend their days battling for the attention of their pupils, with TikTok and Snapchat often proving to be much more desirable for young people than Mathematics or Chemistry.
Others will say that in the digital age, phones are just as vital in the classroom as the notepad and pen, providing an easy source of information to help bolster learning. Is this perhaps a poor alternative to the tried and tested textbook however?
Interestingly, NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union, has described the Government’s proposed ban as “unenforceable”.
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary, said: “If the Government introduces blanket bans that are unenforceable, this will make the behaviour crisis worse, not better."
Yes, phones can lead to distraction but that’s perhaps the least of a Headmaster’s worries. In an age of cyber-bullying, safeguarding legislation and laws surrounding audio/visual recording without permission these pocket-computers can be the source of some very serious complaints.
Read more: Over 80 reports of fake TikTok accounts made to police weeks after incidents at Armagh schools
So is it time to clamp down once and for all? Have your say….
Headlines
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Armagh Jobs
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✅ ASEE are recruiting for a number of roles which can be found here.
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Notice Board
🎗️Free Bowel Cancer Community Support Event | Radisson Blu Hotel, The Gasworks, Belfast | Saturday October 14 | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Bowel Cancer UK will be holding a free community support event for people affected by bowel cancer in Belfast. It’s an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences and hear from expert speakers about the disease. Registration for the event closes Monday 2 October. To find out more about this event and register to attend please visit: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/belfast-event/
🎖️Memorial Service | Markethill Presbyterian Church (upper) | Sunday October 15 | 3.30pm | Newry and Armagh Caring for Victims invite you and your family to join us for a Memorial Service on Sunday October 15 at 3.30pm in Markethill Presbyterian Church (upper). Speaker will be Rev. Norman Smyth. Medals to be worn. Collection for the renovation of the Memorial Garden.
🍎Apple Sundays at Ardress | Ardress House | Sunday October 15 | 11am - 5pm | Hear all about Armagh’s famous apples and have some family fun. Have a go on the apple press and taste some local cider. You will also have the chance to pick some apples from the local orchard. The event is free but normal venue admission charges apply. No booking required.
🍲Christian Aid Lunches | Armagh Road Presbyterian Church Hall | Second Wednesday of every month | noon - 1.30pm | £3.00 | Soup, bread and cheese lunch | The local committee has raised over £50,000 for the charity in its 50 years existence and the chair, Mrs Moyra Stirling, is again appealing for support.
⛪ No Greater Love | Wednesday November 8 - Sunday November 12 | Armagh Elim Church | Armagh Elim will have a service each night for children, ladies, men, youth and the Sunday will be a day for the whole family. As a church, they simply want to share a message of hope to people that they are loved by God.
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