Need to use handphones wisely in schools

Handphones are a necessity for many students. - File photo

IT was reported recently that a school in Pahang had prohibited students from bringing handphones to schools. Their devices would be confiscated and the students would have to pay hefty fines to get them back from the school authorities.

This may not seem right but many parents might argue that the handphone is an important device especially during an emergency.

Yet, for students it is more of an entertainment tool. Schools must provide guidelines on how and when the students can use electronic gadgets. The handphone is beneficial in accessing knowledge, networking and facilitating communication.

Some teachers believe students should not be allowed to bring handphones to school. It distracts their concentration from learning and influences their mental development.

The application and functions on them allow students to be addicted to playing games and being on Facebook, while lessons are going on in class.

If these devices are allowed in school, more students will become slaves to technology.

Furthermore, they will become easily dependent on scientific functions like calculator and converter during their Mathematics and Physics lessons.

Having such sophisticated devices will only segregate those who have them from those who don’t.

Would it not create social inequality and provoke petty crimes in school such as stealing? How will parents and teachers control the pornographic images shared among children and their peers?

How will students use handphones for gaming, gossiping or cheating? More importantly, have we realised the radiation effects of hand-phones?

One thing is clear, handphones are clearly a distraction in school.

Teaching practices have two types of pedagogies — didactics and the constructivist.

The first is the traditional approach. It is teacher-centred where students are passive receptors of knowlegede. They learn from basic skills and move on to more advanced skills.

The second focuses on experimentation and is a better fit when it comes to the use of technology.

What can schools do to imp-rove students’ performance in using technology such as handphones?

I am of the view that for information needs, schools can provide e-learning facilities to browse the Internet, read e-books, etc.

When it comes to communication, providing free telephones perhaps in the staff room would be appropriate.

As a matter of fact, with so many beneficial features on handphones, what we must do is to ensure that students use their mobile devices wisely.

AHMAD FAIZUDDIN

Kuala Lumpur