*The bells ring* School starts back in Malaysia for those under 18. "Good morning, teacher..." as the pupils start their day.
Not long later in the near future, bells will no longer be the only things that ring in between periods, as students may be allowed to bring in their mobile phones along into classrooms. Is this a good thing?
Mobile phones in schools, just like many other things, are not by itself good or bad. Take for example narcotic drugs, that can be put to good use in relieving pain but might be subject to abuse if fallen into the wrong hands. I do not own a smart phone, which frustrates me whenever I need to look up the Internet for information during a lesson. What tends to frustrate me more is when I forget what I wanted to find out by the end of the lesson. If a student could enjoy the privilege of having an access to the Internet in his or her pocket, imagine the benefits! Knowledge literally at their finger tips. Well, it depends on how this privilege is utilised lah, of course.
The argument regarding pros and cons of students bringing their mobiles to school will probably never end, at least for now. Food for though: Aren't they already doing it?
Maybe our teachers and school administrators had not been quite observant. Either that or this generation of students have grown to become smarter than mine. Haha, I remember being caught for bringing a mobile phone to school when I was fourteen. The discipline master confiscated the device for a few days and returned it back. Did that stop me from doing the same thing thereafter? Something for you to think about! Haha!
The problem of mobile phones in school compounds are already there. The problem of peer pressure, the differences between rich and poor, and the list goes on, these are already in our school; with or without mobile devices allowed in. Why the hassle in arguing whether lifting the ban will do more harm or good?
Here, I shall refrain from expressing my views on whether students' mobile devices should be allowed in schools or not. Nevertheless I wish to draw attention to the purpose behind the ongoing debate and drama with regards to the matter of mobile phones in schools. Does it enhance or impede learning? Can it enhance learning? Are our students matured and responsible enough in using the technology they enjoy? Are they taught about such responsibilities?
