How to Manage Cell Phones in the Classroom
September 17, 2024
In some ways, cell phones have been a huge advantage to students and teachers. Cell phones generally include calculators and if students run into a word they don’t know, they can look up the definition in seconds. Some teachers use apps to connect with their students and foster a sense of community in their classes. But any educator knows what a distraction cell phones can be at school.
To kids who grew up with these devices, they can seem like their whole world. It’s how they text, check out their friends’ social media, and browse the Internet. The fact that students are supposed to be paying attention to the lesson does not get in the way of them wanting to check their phones as frequently as possible. Some even brazenly try to get away with watching videos or movies.
When a person craves sweets, the best way to avoid them is not to have them in the house in the first place. Similarly, rather than students trying to avoid reaching into their backpacks for their cell phones, it’s ideal to keep them in a place where kids won’t be tempted to use them.
Read on to learn more about cell phone lockers and how they can improve your classroom environment.
Why Cell Phones Are a Distraction in the Classroom
While there’s no end to what students can learn by surfing the web on their cell phones, there is no denying that they distract from what students are supposed to be learning in class. How are kids supposed to focus on the lesson when there are social media notifications they could be missing or texts from friends? The temptation to play a new favorite game is strong as well.
Some kids have always been prone to distraction in school, but the easy availability of a device like a cell phone makes it practically impossible for a lot of students to stay on task. Constantly dividing their attention between class and their phones shortens their attention spans and makes it all the more difficult to focus in general. This results in reduced comprehension of the subject matter and lower grades.
How to Manage Cell Phones in the Classroom
There are several different ways educators have attempted to manage cell phones in the classroom. A common tactic is to simply allow students to keep their phones in their backpacks and prohibit their use during class. But we’ve already discussed how many kids tend to ignore this restriction and use their cell phones anyway. A more severe way of dealing with cell phones is not to allow them in the school at all and demand that students leave their phones at home.
This, however, leaves kids feeling unsafe and unable to coordinate with their parents regarding rides. Some teachers have asked students to leave their phones in cubbies or pouches during class, but this isn’t very secure and the phones could be stolen.
In the next section, we’ll talk about how cell phone lockers can provide the perfect solution to your cell phone management issues at school.
Where to Keep Student Cell Phones During Class Hours
While other options are ineffective or unsafe, cell phone lockers provide a secure way to keep your students away from those addictive devices during class. They include keyed locks, combination locks, or resettable locks that will ward off any would-be thieves. They can also accommodate tablets, wallets, keys, and other small items of value.
If students’ cell phones are locked away during class, they will be much more likely to be able to focus. They’ll have their own key or combination (depending on which sort of lock you get), so each student will be confident that no one will be able to access their phone but them.
How to Store a Student’s Cell Phone When Not in Use
If you opt for combination lockers, they can be set with a fixed combination or reset after each use for different students to use during each period. A master control key can be used to override any combination if a student forgets theirs. You can open the entire unit with the front access panel. Each compartment includes a clear plastic cardholder you can use for identification, with cards included. Custom placards are also available.
The type of lockers you choose will depend on what would best suit your classroom. Surface mounted units mount directly to a surface while recessed mounted units fit into a rough opening and are secured with mounting hardware through the back or side panels. If you don’t have a lot of wall spaces free-standing locker enclosures might be a good fit.
Where to Buy Cell Phone Lockers for Classrooms
Once you decide to start using cell phone lockers in your classroom, you may be at a loss as to where to buy them. Salsbury Industries offers high-quality cell phone lockers that are made of heavy-duty aluminum and easy to install. Check out our Installation Instructions page where we provide instructions for installing cell phone lockers.
These lockers come in aluminum, bronze, and sandstone and you can match them to your classroom’s decor. Most cell phone lockers are in stock and ship within a few business days, so you won’t have to endure your students’ constant distraction for much longer.
As an educator, it can be tough to watch as students waste away their time in class texting and endlessly scrolling through social media. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Other methods may have proven unsuccessful but cell phone lockers will provide your students with a safe and secure place to keep their cell phones during class. You will be able to teach without the disruption of a YouTube video or some game’s annoying chimes. Your students will be free of the constant distraction of their phones and able to focus on their education.
Click here to peruse our cell phone lockers and select the ones that will bring peace and the joy of learning to your classroom.