In an effort to improve the quality of instructional time in the classroom, I am enacting a classroom cell phone policy. This has become necessary as current research has uncovered that smartphones are not conducive to learning, can create unsafe learning environments and can substantially impede the ability of students to learn.
THEREFORE, ALL CELLPHONES MUST REMAIN OUT OF SIGHT, IN STUDENTS’ BAGS AT ALL TIMES – NOT ON THE DESK OR IN THE POCKETS.
I did not take this decision lightly, and it saddens me to have to implement this rule. However, every year I teach more and more wonderful young people who are excessively attached to their smartphone, to their great detriment.
I will allow (or even encourage) students to use their phones for certain tasks, when appropriate, and to only assist learning.
Some references for your consideration:
The Tech Industry's War on Kids
Have smartphones destroyed a generation?
Bored and brilliant - a plan for smartphone addiction rehab
A minimalist phone that will make you smarter
Center for humane technology - check out the ledger of harms for more research
If you think you're good at multitasking, you probably aren't
Never get high on your own supply - why social media bosses don't use social media
Brain drain - the mere presence of one's own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity
The myths of the digital native and the multitasker
Facebook and academic performance