Using of Smart Phones: A Hindrance to Achieving Optimum Learning

Normative Philosophy

Is the use of gadgets like smart phone BENEFICIAL to

learning?

However, as much as smart phones have become educational aid, as Irina (2011) stated, so have they been THE SOURCE OF DISTRACTION TO STUDENTS’ LEARNING AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT (as cited in Baron, 2008).

Using of Smart Phones: A Hindrance to Achieving Optimum Learning

Normative Philosophy

“Smart phones should be banned during classroom instruction.”

The Joy and Responsibilities of an

Educator

Teacher’s mission is to enable the learners’ intellect to understand the truth, each time more and more, and to enable their will to love and choose the higher good at all times (Torralba,1998).

Education seeks to prepare the students for what he must be and what he must do here on earth in order to attain the sublime end for which he was created (Torralba, 1998).

Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers

Article VII Section 2 says, “School officials, teachers, and other school personnel shall consider it their cooperative responsibility TO FORMULATE POLICIES OR INTRODUCE IMPORTANT CHANGES in the system at all levels.”

Article VIII Section 2

“A teacher shall recognize that the interest and welfare of learners are of first and foremost concern, and shall deal justifiably and impartially with each of them.

Article VIII Section 8

“A teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending learners nor make deductions from their scholastic ratings as punishment for acts which are clearly not manifestation of poor scholarship.”

Article VIII Section 9 “A teacher shall ensure that

conditions contribute to the maximum development of learners are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in preventing or solving learner’s problems and difficulties.”

Article IV Section 3“Every teacher shall participate in the

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program of the Professional Regulation Commission, and shall pursue such other studies as will improve his efficiency, enhance the prestige of the profession, and strengthen his competence, virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally and internationally competitive.”

The ability of the teacher to impose the “NO SMART PHONE

POLICY” during classroom instruction…

Learners use smart phones during classroom instruction.Positive

DepEd strictly imposes a ban on the use of smart phones by learners during class hours though teachers are not encouraged to confiscate the gadgets (DepEd Order No. 83, series of 2003; 26 series of 2000 and 70 series of 1999)

Grade VII – XII learners shall abide by the terms on the use of cellular phones and other electronic gadgets set by High School Department:- Learners are to use their smart phones after

dismissal

- Learners may use their smart phones to call or receive calls in case of emergency

- Learners may use of their smart phones during class for academic purposes.

Failure to abide by the set rules, the learners are to surrender the gadget or the teacher who caught the learner using the gadget shall confiscate it and it shall be kept under the custody of the Class Adviser or the Unit Coordinator for a month.

(Assumption Iloilo Learners’ Handbook p. 37 no. 18)

Mobile phones are considered a must-have among young Filipinos, with product ownership in the country at 67%, according to a survey conducted by global research agency Synovate; therefore, one out of four young Filipinos cannot live without cell phone. (abs-cbn.com, 2010)

Cagayan de Oro City - A high school teacher in Barangay Canitoan was stabbed to death Tuesday, September 13, 2016, by her 15-year old student after he was reprimanded for using a cell phone in class.

Learners are seen as bad-active, that is, they need to be informed that anything they perceive as beautiful is not always so; to be guided that everything they do is not always correct; hence, they need behaviorist teachers that will discipline them to ensure that everything they do is aligned to what is the society expected to them to behave.

Behaviorist schools are concerned with the modifications and shaping students’ behavior by providing a favorable environment, since they believe that they are a product of their environment. They are after students who exhibit desirable behavior in the society (Bilbao, 2012).

When learners understand that the rules are their statements about what they expect of each other—not just what their teacher expects of them—they become more courteous, and they are more ready to participate in learning together (Dusenbury, 2012).  

Teachers’ Competencies on imposing the

“No Smart Phone Policy”

Core Competencies for Educators Stacy Zeiger (2000)

Interacting with Students

Creating a Learning Environment

Good at Communication

Able to Collaborate

Maintaining a Professional Appearance

Tangible Success Indicators

Interacting with Students

- positively interact with all learners

- put aside their prejudices and feelings in order to treat all learners with

respect

- provide them with equal opportunities for learning

- make them feel confident

Creating and maintaining an effective environment for learning

- must set high expectations for learner performance and behavior

- rules must be enforced consistently and fairly

Good at Communication- provides regular updates on a child's

progress and immediately addresses any concerns that may arise

- know how to calmly discuss issues with difficult parents

- know to come to decisions that have the best interests of the child in mind

Able to Collaborate - can learn from one another and grow into better teachers through collaboration

- can also collaborate to make the school a safe, effective learning environment for all students and to improve the overall image of the school and the instruction that takes place there

Maintaining a Professional Appearance

This includes dressing appropriately and acting professionally. Educators often serve as role models for students. Actions such as using foul language, gossiping about teachers and students or dressing inappropriately can cause students to lose respect for an educator or case in point, using of smart phones.

Core Competency Program to Conduct Definition Application/Implication

Interacting with the Learners

Seminar

Seminars are basically arranged to discuss current issues and problems or to share ideas. A seminar is a small group discussion in a formal setting with clear agenda. In a seminar, a speaker presents a theme or a set of papers and it is discussed by all those who participate (Nirav, n.d.).

  Through seminar, teachers will be given to explain their side why they are imposing the “No Smart Phone Policy”. Provisions under the rule will be discussed; hence, learners will be enlightened and persuaded that they should follow the rule. Learners as well will be given an opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the rules. Amendments could be done if both parties agree to the rule to be imposed.

Creating a Learning

Environment

 

Core Competency Program to Conduct Definition Application/Implication

Good at Communication

 

Parent-Teacher Conference

  A parent-teacher conference is a face-to-face meeting between one teacher and one or both parents (or guardians) of a student. It is an opportunity to discuss a student's academic progress and social behavior. Many schools schedule these in both the fall and spring (Frederick, 2005). 

  Parent-teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity to extend lines of communication between home and school, keep parents informed about their children's progress—both academic and social—and for developing cooperative strategies that can ultimately benefit every student. (Frederick, 2005). Parents shall be informed preferably about the behavior of the learners regarding the use of smart phones during classroom instruction. Teachers are given the opportunity to explain themselves why there is a need to implement the “No Smart Phone Policy”. Parents and teachers might agree if the parents have some concerns regarding the use of smart

phones of their children.

Core Competency Program to Conduct Definition Application/Implication

Able to Communicat

e 

Professional Sharing or

Symposium

It can be organized by a group of teachers in a resourceful institution to focus on important issues that are related for the professional growth of secondarily and senior secondary teachers. The messages, issues, problems to be discussed need to be systematically outlined for worthwhile discussions and for arriving at some meaningful conclusions (Nirav, n.d.).

  This can be a good opportunity to learn from other teachers regarding their practices and strategies in implementing the “No Smart Phone Policy” during classroom instruction. Teachers will be able to widen their knowledge towards policy implementing and classroom management.

Maintaining a

Professional

Appearance 

Program Time FrameJanuary –May 2017

Professional SharingJanuary 13 & 20

Every 2nd Friday(Faculty Meeting)

Seminar – Forum February 6 & 20

Every 2nd Monday(General Assembly)

Parent Teacher ConferenceFebruary 28, March 7 & 14

Every Tuesday(PTA Meeting)

1st Draft for the Revision of the

“No Smart Phone Policy during Classroom Instruction”

Final Draft of the Revision

April 3-14(1st Phase of INSET)

May 15- 26(2nd Phase of INSET)