In the last legislative session MN passed a new law that requires schools to set clear policies that regulate student cell phone use. In response RAHS leadership decided on a new policy: to keep phones away from students during class time by placing them in bins. The goal is to decrease distraction and increase learning.
After one trimester, most teachers are impressed with the changes but are noticing inconsistencies in student compliance. Chemistry teacher Jodi Kyllonen shared that she collects phones everyday in all of her classes but is noticing some trends. She said, “I get almost zero in my ninth grade classes and almost all in my upper level classes.” She thinks that upper level students understand that it is good to get rid of phones during learning.
Social Studies teacher Amy Westland gives students a space to turn in their phones; she reported that, “about a quarter of my students turn them in.”
Kirsten Peterson the French teacher here at RAHS said, “I get most in my upperclassmen class and none in my 9th grade classes.”
After one trimester with the policy Kyllonen 100% notices an improvement in student engagement in her classes. She said, “I don’t see phones until the end of class but that is normal; there are still some concerns about students on their phones in the bathroom.”
Ms Westland shared that she got more phones at the beginning of the year but she said, “the students still keep their phones away even though less of them turn their phones in.”
Sara Zimmerman- White another science teacher at RAHS said, “I get most phones [and] if they don’t put it in the bin I trust them.” She also noted that students who do put their phones in the bins do better academically.
Social Studies teacher Sara Mortel said, “I notice that less phones go in the bins as the year goes on. The one exception is on test day all phones must go in the bin.” In psychology class students have learned that it is better to have the phone off their person because it is better for learning and retention. She stands by this in the classroom as she expects phones to be in the bins.
Mortel connects it to her obsession with TikTok. She knew the app was taking a toll on her mentally so she deleted it much like how students may or may not realize the effects of their own phone use until they spend considerable time away from them.
Teachers report very few incidents where they have had to call BIs for phone pick-ups. When asked about calling BIs for a tech pickup Ms Kyllonen said, “I have only done it once and it was at the beginning of the year. A ninth grader was testing the waters but it didn’t continue.”
Ms Peterson said she has only done a tech pickup once. Ms Zimmerman-White said that she has called a BI. Ms Mortel said, “I have not had to do a pickup and I intend not to.”
Ms Westland said, “this is your one and only warning for the day. If I see it, the BI taking it will be the consequence.”
When asked if the new cell phones expectations are phrased as a question or a command within their spaces Ms Mortel said, “I state it as a command, but as a mom I also understand coordinating rides and family plans etc.”
Biology teacher Ms Padellford said, “I say put phones in the bin in a commanding way and I get all phones.”
Ms Peterson walks around the classroom to collect phones. She said, “if someone doesn’t put their phone in the bin, I expect them to keep them away.”
Ms Zimmerman- White said, “I phrase it matter of factly and tell them that phones go in the bins at this time.”
Students have a more negative reaction to the policy after the first trimester.
Ayan Jabril (10) expressed some frustration with the expectations and said, “[the bin requirement] doesn’t make any sense. You can just put it in your backpack [and collection of phones] takes up time.”
Calais Xiong’s (10) frustration with the policy stems from fear. “We should be able to have them, in an emergency we shouldn’t have to grab it it might be too late.”
Athena Yang (10) is not certain the policy is as effective as staff believe it is. She said, “People always find one way or another to avoid the phone bin.”
Sofia Sethi (12) admits to keeping her phone on her but also practicing restraint throughout the day. She said, “I don’t like to put my phone into a germy phone bin. I never take my phone out of my backpack. I’m fully capable of putting it away myself.”
