Wait France! Don’t ban smartphones in class

At the end of 2017, the French president announced that he will be following through on his election campaign promise to ban mobile phones in junior and middle schools. Now, they’re not the first to call for a ban and they’re also not the first to implement one. However, this particular ban is coming at an interesting time – right when there is a switch happening to teachers actively using mobile devices, along with a school MDM platform, as part of their teaching strategies.

There are many arguments both for and against allowing personal mobile devices in schools. The theories behind banning phones, in particular, is to try and prevent major distractions in classrooms. Children would spend time texting each other or playing games instead of concentrating on their lessons. Cyberbullying is another element that schools were trying to cut down on with the banning of smartphones. The problem is, children will always find ways to distract themselves in class, and cyberbullying has only increased over the years.

So what is the answer? We believe that smartphones and other personal mobile devices should be integrated into the classroom in a regulated way. Why?

Banning smartphones is not the answer

1. Prepare children for the future

The world we live in and the technology that runs it is constantly evolving. If children aren’t shown how to make smartphones and other mobile devices part of their everyday lives, they will struggle to enter the real world one day.

The technology available also allows students to be self-sufficient, and yet they can collaborate more efficiently than ever. Additionally, when you add proper school MDM to the mix, teachers, principals and district superintendents can monitor and protect each student.

2. Future-proof your school

The technology is here and it certainly isn’t going away. Schools around the world are adopting it as part of the way they teach. If your school hasn’t already brought mobile devices into lessons, then now is a good time to start.

The simplest way to get started is to implement a BYOT (bring your own tech) system. This is where you allow the students to bring their own devices in and sync them up with the school MDM solution you’ve chosen. Your mobile device management platform will allow you to monitor all of the smartphones, tablets and laptops that are linked to it and ensure that the students are safe in their online endeavours. Here are 10 things you can do with the Mobile Guardian school MDM software. 

3. It’s more practical

Children will always find a way to do what they’re not supposed to. By banning mobile phones, you are making the devices even more enticing and making the time kids get to spend on them even more thrilling. When you bring the technology into the classroom and make it part of their learning process, you normalize these devices.


Find the right school MDM solution

The most important thing to do is ensure that you have the right school MDM solution. Something flexible enough to meet ever-evolving needs and strong enough to fully protect your students, such as Mobile Guardian, will put teachers’ and parents’ minds at ease. Sign up for our free trial and explore the platform, or book a demo with our friendly sales team. 

Onwards

Robyn Hobson

Team Mobile Guardian

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