Rey Segundo Guerrero-Proenza We created Iphone/cellphone in the mid-80s as a communication research tool for STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math] outdoor education between research groups during their assigned field study research. Students have to turn off their Iphone/cellphone in the classroom when not being used as a classroom rule.

Banning phones is a silly idea. I was told the same thing when calculators were introduced in High school. Only the smart kids took them to class. New techniques, innovation, and especially teacher training is needed to understand the possibilities of intellectually utilizing smartphones. The present paradigm still expects students to be on the same page at the same time. Even twenty-year-old teaching methods like webquests still expect each student to follow similar pages to achieve a group goal. Teachers should learn from students and colleagues as well as training to master and create interactive PPTs and other class materials etc.so that their students can use their phones in creative ways, from real time competitive quizzes to collaborative exercises. This is a little dated but the Poisonous Animal Webquests asks a deceptively simple question do cobras, spiders, or octopi produce their toxins or do symbiotic microbes do that for them? http://yukna.free.fr/science/biology/poisonous/PoisonousAnimals.php Funny thing was their investigative work convinced me to write Preprint Microbial Outsourcing of Toxins Theory Or why there are no v...

Teachers will know when cellphones make them and their students smarter by how much they learn from each other.

Sincerely

Prof YUKNA

Banning cell phones in higher education classrooms can reduce distractions, improve focus, and support deeper engagement with course content. It encourages students to participate more actively in discussions and minimizes opportunities for academic dishonesty. However, such policies should consider accessibility needs and be implemented with clear guidelines. Overall, a well-structured ban can enhance the learning environment.

Vira Gorelova, I understand your viewpoint. However: "Overall, a well-structured ban can enhance the learning environment."

This begs the question How? I eagerly await your conclusions. True, I guess it would give a teacher more control... Just off the top of my head here are two topics you mentioned

• encourages students to participate; actively searching for articles and topics, and images as in being a Google Jockey 1.) 2.)
• As to minimize opportunities for academic dishonesty: dishonesty where you want to encourage the student to develop their own speaking and written voice is fine. And there must be ways to discourage AI writing. But copying and pasting a series of arguments, while paraphrasing them and providing links to develop a logic chain is an essential tool for students to acquire.

Vira, I notice you are on the East Coast. At the end of the twentieth century, we looked at the collapse of the Canadian Fishing. The students and I broke down all sorts of recent changes and events from industrial fish vessels, iron fertilization, to the Great Lake invasion of Zebra mussels. Then individuals or pairs chose a subject to dive into. Finally, we debated. Our arguments formed the basis http://yukna.free.fr/science/zebramussels/grandbanks.html

Thank you in advance. I hope you like the thought-provoking Canadian fishing piece.

Professor Christopher Gerard Yukna

Citations

A blanket ban on cell phones in classrooms may not be the most effective solution to address the problem of distractions. Instead, a balanced approach that allows professors to decide when and how phones should be used could provide the flexibility needed to adapt to various teaching methods and student needs. This approach would also help students learn to manage their digital distractions effectively, a skill that is crucial for their future success in both academic and professional environments.

While the distractions posed by cell phones are a valid concern, a comprehensive strategy that includes education on responsible use, clear classroom policies, and the appropriate integration of technology may offer a more sustainable and progressive solution. Ultimately, the goal should be to enhance learning outcomes, not merely restrict student behavior.

There are other digital devices such as laptops and tablets that can provide the functionality that cell phones do. These devices used used in the classroom to support pedagogy and help facilitate learning in Higher Education. A ban is impractical and can be counterproductive. We should be promoting and reinforcing responsible and respectful use of digital devices rather than banning them.

In my postgraduate courses, I admit the free use of cell phones, providing that they remain in vibration or silent mode. And use it for asking questions, related to the class.

On other occasions, I offer short, five-minute breaks for free cell phone use. This relieves the addiction and need to constantly look at their phones: they know they can use them frequently.

In my classes, I do not prohibit the use of cell phones, but I do ask that calls, if urgent, be answered outside the classroom. If I notice that a student is spending too much time on the screen, I give them the option to either put the cell phone away or leave the classroom. However, brief uses do not bother me.

For me gthe issue and answer revolves around what we perceive to be the fundamental mission of education. I believe it is to encourage to think more clearly and critically and I have company: "The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think."  Albert Einstein   (NYT May 19, 1921)

Cell phones distract rather than promote what I perceive to be our main mission so would and I have banned both them and computers except in special situations where the use of a computer enhanced a students learning situation.

Before banning phones in classrooms wastes the opportunity for advancing the science and practice of education. My first project would be documenting the extent of use by student correlated to performance in the course. The second, requiring careful controls, looks for differences in prevalence of cellphone use as a function of the lecturer’s skill. I do believe that the privilege of enrolling in an oversubscribed course should be accompanied by an agreement to not use the cell phone during class; else give the seat to a more committed student.

It's not advisable to prohibit students from using cellphones, but as teachers, we can encourage them to put their devices in silent mode while in lecture rooms. Otherwise, cellphones help them to research for their coursework, especially in rural areas where computers are still scarce

Banning or limiting phones in university classrooms aims to boost teaching quality and academic goals. Phones distract students and hinder learning efficiency. Schools should empower teachers to intervene, including confiscating devices when needed.

This enhances student focus and teaching standards while fostering positive teacher-student interaction. However, long-term enforcement must avoid replacing student self-discipline to preserve autonomy development.

The optimal approach: Combine clear rules with teacher guidance and tech tools to help students consciously use phones for learning—balancing efficiency and personal growth.

It is difficult to give a yes or no answer to this question. For PwD students or foreign students (whose native language is different from the main communication language of the university), the use of mobile devices is critical for their learning and deeper understanding of the subject.

That said, the time space allotted for student-faculty interaction is meagre in higher education today. To best utilize this meagre time, it is incumbent on the faculty and students to prepare for the class topic in advance and give their undivided attention to the topic and discussions in order to develop their critical thinking and deeper understanding of the subject.

• Considero que los estudiantes en su mayoría son adultos, a quienes se les debe orientar sobre la necesidad de guardar los dispositivos móviles en sus maletines o carteras de trabajo. Explicar el porqué, a pesar de que ellos saben la respuesta, y permitir el uso en caso de emergencias y/o actividades digitales en contacto con el docente que lo requiera. Se trata de continuar educando, no de satanizar o sancionar. Recordar que se debe predicar con el ejemplo.

Yumy Fernández Vélez "Recordar que se debe predicar con el ejemplo."

Good point. It matters. Sometimes we can see the problem in the both sides of the classroom.

At what point do adults have to take responsibility for their actions? While professors will lament the lack of attention some may give to their subject due to the distraction of phones, the students need to take responsibility for their own actions and learning. I am keen on bans in primary schools where the students' decision making needs support, but in tertiary settings, the learner needs to play their part.

Interesting question and replies.

Personally, during my sessions I include activities that rely on the use of cell phones. For examples I include activities in Kahoot, for surveys, conceptual maps and brainstorming. Of course, the topic of the session is appropriate for those activities. The reason I try to use them frequently, is because I know that it's not easy to prohibit them. Challenges exist for sure.

Overall, I aim to show my students how to use it prudently and wisely.

In higher education, we are teaching adults, not children, and with that comes a level of mutual respect and responsibility. Just as we are expected to silence our phones and refrain from using them during movies, concerts, ceremonies, or funerals, the same standard of common courtesy should apply in the classroom. I believe professors should have the autonomy to set clear expectations around cell phone use in their courses. Personally, I see no issue with phones being on silent or vibrate in case of emergencies, but active use during class should be at the discretion of the instructor, particularly if it disrupts learning or engagement. Treating students like adults includes holding them accountable for respectful behavior, including when and how they use technology during instructional time. Cell phones can be valuable tools when used intentionally for learning, but without boundaries, they often hinder focus and participation.

I think regulating the use of cellphones in the classroom would help, not banning it since cellphones may be used as one of the media tools that would help the learning process. Maybe the Instructors/professor could set rules that regulate the use of it during class hours.

For some years now, i have integrated ICT devices into courses i teach. I actually encourage students to use mobile phones, for example, during class time, ask them to search for materials related to the class being held, including online video discussions and also ask them to interact with AI. This all in the strategy to enhance learning, making students more responsible for their learning and make them choose the various learning directions they want to take. In most cases, but not in all, this use of ICT devices in class, has been positive, in terms of the intended learning outcomes and students enjoy very much, seemingly, such an eclectic approach to class time.

Also i have placed no ban at all on students receiving messages and phone calls during class, so long as mobile phones are on silent mode. Most interestingly, very few students during class time, do receive calls and messages.......

Dear Doctor

When the leacturer comprehend and display new scientific and literary findings and not just classic and old ones and when the lecturer not wasting time in unbenefitial talks, I think banning or allowing use of cell phones in classroom will not obstruct and hinder eduction. On contrary, students can return to cell phones to understand and widen knowledge on what has been given in lecture.