Mobile Phones
Watch the video below. What is the message here? Do you agree with the sentiment?
Starter activity:
Can you multitask? 3 minutes
Activity one: Ask the students to pair up and do a thumb war. First to three wins.
Activity two: Play three games of scissors paper rock to get a winner.
Activity three: Play both at the same time.
What happened? What changed when you had to do both at the same time?
This is what happens to your brain when you play games or listen to music while you are trying to learn.
Activity Two: Brainstorm on whiteboard
1. What are some issues with mobile phone usage in class?
2. As a class what are three steps teacher should use to deal with mobile phone misuse in class?
Can you multitask? 3 minutes
Activity one: Ask the students to pair up and do a thumb war. First to three wins.
Activity two: Play three games of scissors paper rock to get a winner.
Activity three: Play both at the same time.
What happened? What changed when you had to do both at the same time?
This is what happens to your brain when you play games or listen to music while you are trying to learn.
Activity Two: Brainstorm on whiteboard
1. What are some issues with mobile phone usage in class?
2. As a class what are three steps teacher should use to deal with mobile phone misuse in class?
Student often say, "...but I work better when I can listen to music on my phone!".
Music can be a great way to help your brain get in a focused state – not to mention it can often drown out other random, distracting sounds. However, music becomes more divisive than helpful when: A) You spend more time searching for the right song than working; B) Singing along to a song – even silently in your own head. (Ever accidentally typed a song lyric into an essay?). If you want to listen to music, consider making a playlist of non-lyrical music. You’ll get the benefits without the costly divisions of attention. |
Here’s the real lesson:
It is possible to do two things at once. However, multitasking is simply switching our attention back-and-forth quickly between two cognitive tasks. And, when we divide our attention, we make more mistakes and take longer in completing the tasks. Imagine how much more time you would have to enjoy listening to your music and texting if you just focused your full attention on one task (school work) for a set amount of time.
You can, therefore, study while jamming to music, blaring some TV, texting, snapchatting, and surfing the web all at once. But, plan to spend a lot more time studying – and poorly at that. And, who ever said they wanted to spend more time studying?
It is possible to do two things at once. However, multitasking is simply switching our attention back-and-forth quickly between two cognitive tasks. And, when we divide our attention, we make more mistakes and take longer in completing the tasks. Imagine how much more time you would have to enjoy listening to your music and texting if you just focused your full attention on one task (school work) for a set amount of time.
You can, therefore, study while jamming to music, blaring some TV, texting, snapchatting, and surfing the web all at once. But, plan to spend a lot more time studying – and poorly at that. And, who ever said they wanted to spend more time studying?
Mobile Phone expectations
Our Mobile Phone guidelines specify the school’s expectations and the processes for dealing with mobile phone use in class:
Expectations:
Mobiles phones should be on silent in students’ bags
If a student is asked to use their phone in class and your teacher has approved this use, students must stay on task.
Students must follow the Balmain Way around responsible mobile phone use
Students must postpone responding to messages and notification until after class.
Classrooms are earphone free
Students must follow teacher instructions and prompts when questioned.
Processes:
1. Students are reminded at the beginning of each lesson to place their phones and headphones into their bags
2. If a student uses their mobile phone, they are issued with a verbal warning to put it away and participate productively in their learning.
3. If a student uses their phone again, they are asked to hand the phone to the teacher or place it on their desk for the remainder of the period. At the conclusion of the lesson, the student and teacher will have a conversation about appropriate use of technology.
4. If the student uses their phone in class again, the teacher will call home and discuss appropriate use of technology in the classroom with the parent/guardian.
5. Continuous misuse of technology will be referred to the Head Teacher of the faculty and the student may be placed on a faculty card.
6. If the student continued to not follow instructions they may be referred to the Deputy Principal for continued disobedience.
Play the SSC Balmain Mobile Phones Kahoot
Our Mobile Phone guidelines specify the school’s expectations and the processes for dealing with mobile phone use in class:
Expectations:
Mobiles phones should be on silent in students’ bags
If a student is asked to use their phone in class and your teacher has approved this use, students must stay on task.
Students must follow the Balmain Way around responsible mobile phone use
Students must postpone responding to messages and notification until after class.
Classrooms are earphone free
Students must follow teacher instructions and prompts when questioned.
Processes:
1. Students are reminded at the beginning of each lesson to place their phones and headphones into their bags
2. If a student uses their mobile phone, they are issued with a verbal warning to put it away and participate productively in their learning.
3. If a student uses their phone again, they are asked to hand the phone to the teacher or place it on their desk for the remainder of the period. At the conclusion of the lesson, the student and teacher will have a conversation about appropriate use of technology.
4. If the student uses their phone in class again, the teacher will call home and discuss appropriate use of technology in the classroom with the parent/guardian.
5. Continuous misuse of technology will be referred to the Head Teacher of the faculty and the student may be placed on a faculty card.
6. If the student continued to not follow instructions they may be referred to the Deputy Principal for continued disobedience.
Play the SSC Balmain Mobile Phones Kahoot