LIMPOPO – Cellphones have long been an issue in many schools, as they distract learners. But there are smart phones these days, which some learners use as a learning tool.
Express asked residents if it was a good idea for learners to bring cellphones to school.
Victor Maebela said learners should use their cellphones at school as they would benefit a lot in assignments.
“We are preparing the learners for adult life, we should therefore allow them to use the tools that they will be using in their adult life. If we are preparing the learners for life after school, then we should allow them to use the tools they will be using when they get there.”
Abel Mohlala said he supported learners to use phones at school as this would help to make a school work easy due to the internet.
“Learners should be able to use their phones during classes. A cellphone is a great device, it can be used for many educational things like school research, projects, calculators and even putting in important dates when a homework or assignments is due.”
“I believe that trusting learners to have cell phones in class instils a level of respect.
“Learners should be allowed to bring their own devices and enjoy that freedom, while also being able to focus on their learning.
“Bringing their own devices will encourage them to work hard and show a level of respect that they appreciate and in return they will pay more attention to the teachers and become better students,” said Pretty Motedi.
Khomotso Serage on the other hand disagreed and said learners should not be allowed to bring their cellphones to school as this distracted them in classrooms.
“I think that mobile phones should be banned from schools, because they are a distraction for other learners. As a learner, I find it very hard to concentrate in class if I’m constantly receiving texts.”
Sidney Morema said: “I believe phones should not be used during learning time because other learners will not concentrate on their work. Learners could go on social networks, which this is not helpful to their learning. Other learners might also be distracted by the phone ringing”.
“It’s boring for learners to look through a book to find answers. If the teachers allow learners to bring their phones to school and use them in class to search for answers, then learners will be more motivated and excited to search for the answers.
“This could also be convenient for taking notes and they could easily snap a quick picture of notes on the board or voice record all of the notes the teacher is saying,” said Potego Motedi.
