Cellphones and other personal electronic devices are restricted at one school in Green Lake. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

PUT IT AWAY

New Green Lake school policy bans personal electronics, cellphones

Sep 6, 2019 | 2:24 PM

Textbook? Check. Pencil? Check. Cellphone? Not if you are attending St. Pascal Community School.

The kindergarten to Grade 9 facility in Green Lake has implemented a school-wide personal electronic device (PED) free-zone in an effort to curb distractions.

Students are asked to leave their cellphone and other devices at home or in a locker for the entirety of the day. This is a change from previous years where teachers set individual policies.

“Time on task is huge,” Principal Jordan Kolbeck said. “Research shows that as soon as a student answers a text message or is distracted, it can take up to eight or nine or 10 minutes for them to refocus on a task.”

The decision was made after consultations with the school community council, parents and staff while examining how to keep students more focused on their work.

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Kolbeck hopes the ban heightens students engagement in their learning. He said it may also force them to have more face-to-face interactions, which should enhance social and personal connections.

While PEDs are barred, technology and education on how to become good digital citizens in an ever-connected world remains.

“They will still learn how to code and use the internet, it is just they will have less reliance on their devices as a way to distract them,” he said. “Will they enjoy it? I don’t know, that is a tough one to call. I certainly hope they see the value in focused attention on their tasks and not have to worry about who is texting who about what.”

Though early in the school year, feedback is overwhelming positive Kolbeck said. Many are surprised and impressed and think it is a good idea. People from outside the school community have commented on social media posts expressing a desire for their educators to enact a similar policy.

While parents and outsiders are supportive, the principal maintained student reaction is of greater importance as they serve them.

“They seem responsive to it and I think they appreciate the clarity on what the cellphone policy is in the building and it will put less pressure on them to use it as well,” he said.

The concept is not new and is catching on in schools across Canada, specifically Ontario. That province will restrict the use of cellphones in classrooms starting in November.

The directive states students can only use personal mobile devices during instructional time if it is for educational purposes, for health or medical purposes, or for special needs.

— With files from the Canadian Press

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tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr