France bans smartphone use in schools • Hacker News Board

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#21

Post by MaxBarraclough » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:16 PM UTC

chpmrc wrote: post #9

Typical prohibitionist mindset. Lots of people use X, we don't like X, we ban X instead of understanding how to properly and moderately integrate X into our lives. Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices. If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress. EDIT: part of the education process is to teach kids how to use and not abuse these devices and when…

> Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices.

I believe studies have shown that gadgets do more harm than good in school environments.

> If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress.

Even if smartphones really are a hindrance?

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#22

Post by sp332 » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:16 PM UTC

lbeziaud wrote: post #11

DeBraid wrote: post #6

> The measure prohibits the use of tablets, computers, and other internet-connected devices as well. Ban phones, sure, but no computers? Bring back the typewriter?

The ban only concerns "students under the age of 15", who typically take notes on paper. The teacher can also make an exception for pedagogical purpose. > There are exceptions in place for students with disabilities and for the educational use of devices in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities

Sure but they also use Google and Wikipedia etc.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#23

Post by mercwear » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:17 PM UTC

chpmrc wrote: post #9

Typical prohibitionist mindset. Lots of people use X, we don't like X, we ban X instead of understanding how to properly and moderately integrate X into our lives. Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices. If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress. EDIT: part of the education process is to teach kids how to use and not abuse these devices and when…

You seem to be looking at this through the lens of best case scenario. These are kids, many if all of them are probably mid puberty. The phones are not being used to take notes. They are playing fortnight, doing whatever replaced texting at this point, and generally just ignoring the lesson.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#24

Post by sp332 » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:18 PM UTC

zzzzzzzza wrote: post #18

chpmrc wrote: post #9

Typical prohibitionist mindset. Lots of people use X, we don't like X, we ban X instead of understanding how to properly and moderately integrate X into our lives. Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices. If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress. EDIT: part of the education process is to teach kids how to use and not abuse these devices and when…

Kind of funny that you say this when smartphones and tablets are fundamentally designed to consume whereas a laptop is designed to create - but somehow a laptop is not included as a "great learning device" - what kind of "learning" are we even talking about?

Laptops can be good for typing I guess, but for audio, video, or just drawing I'd rather have a tablet.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#25

Post by conradk » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:19 PM UTC

Yoric wrote: post #5

To be clear: phones have been banned in most French schools for years, but faculty had no legal authorization to actually touch the phone or look at it to ensure that it was off. I haven't read the actual text of the law, but I believe that it gives faculty the authorization to do just that.

I've heard the same about a school in my town. Apparently, what is planned is a confiscation by the school of any phones teachers will see in the school.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#26

Post by tjr225 » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:19 PM UTC

chpmrc wrote: post #10

swiley wrote: post #7

I'm really not sure how I feel about highschoolers having phones. On the one hand, not having one seems like it could cause isolation and practical/logistical problems. On the other hand, the whole point of most of the smartphone ecosystem is to manipulate people and these people are especially prone to that. Highschoolers therefore should be only allowed to use completely free (as in freedom) community maintained so…

How about educating kids on the proper use of such powerful tools, including the concepts of FLOSS (and, in general, how to question and think critically)? TV is not the problem, having more kids watching Jersey Shore rather than some good documentaries is.

I agree that we should be educating children on healthy device usage. However, having a computer in your pocket that is connected to the internet 24/7 is an entirely different beast than any other mode of entertainment.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#27

Post by dosbre » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:20 PM UTC

WorkLifeBalance wrote: post #19

jonbaer wrote: post #15

If you can have "airplane mode" you can surely come up with some type of "school mode" (apps locked and calls in/out to certain specific numbers). Also nothing in the article re: smartwatches.

There is a "school mode": Off.

That may ask for parents unlock.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#28

Post by Yoric » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:21 PM UTC

chpmrc wrote: post #9

Typical prohibitionist mindset. Lots of people use X, we don't like X, we ban X instead of understanding how to properly and moderately integrate X into our lives. Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices. If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress. EDIT: part of the education process is to teach kids how to use and not abuse these devices and when…

Would you allow students to come to class with their own TV and to watch it whenever they want? Because, in a school setting, that's exactly what phones and tablets are: distraction engines.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#29

Post by sp332 » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:21 PM UTC

There's more to life than homework, even when you're in school. If I have my work done and want to read Slashdot or Ars Technica, or if I'm between classes and want to check the news, that's really not something that should be banned at the national level.

Re: France bans smartphone use in schools

#30

Post by chpmrc » Thu, Aug 02, 2018, 2:23 PM UTC

zzzzzzzza wrote: post #18

chpmrc wrote: post #9

Typical prohibitionist mindset. Lots of people use X, we don't like X, we ban X instead of understanding how to properly and moderately integrate X into our lives. Smartphones and tablets are GREAT learning devices. If we keep blaming the ineptitude of teachers on devices the quality of education will never progress. EDIT: part of the education process is to teach kids how to use and not abuse these devices and when…

Kind of funny that you say this when smartphones and tablets are fundamentally designed to consume whereas a laptop is designed to create - but somehow a laptop is not included as a "great learning device" - what kind of "learning" are we even talking about?

You can consume and produce good content with smartphones as well. Just not the same kind you would with a laptop. Are you saying that "playing" Duolingo on my phone isn't teaching me anything?