June 25, 2024 | Vancouver Sun via UVic News
British Columbia’s school districts are gearing up to curb digital distractions. By September, they aim to limit cellphone use during school hours. In Mission, for example, the ban will extend to lunchtime for Grade 9 students and will apply to both elementary and middle schools. Vancouver’s policy will require elementary students to keep phones silent and hidden throughout the day. While high school students are currently exempt, discussions continue. Surrey’s updated policy expects elementary students to stow away digital devices during non-class time. However, enforcement largely falls to teachers or individual schools, sparking concerns about the potential burden on educators.
Dr. Jillian Roberts, a distinguished professor at the University of Victoria, has shared her thoughts on the plan. She recognizes the necessity of the well-intentioned plan but questions the effectiveness of a blanket policy. She raises concerns about enforceability and the potential burden on teachers. Highlighting the integral role of phones in education, she suggests teaching responsible phone use could be more valuable than a total ban, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to digital technology in the classroom.
Dr. Roberts, a renowned expert in Educational Psychology and Special Education, is known for her research on special needs children, development of educational apps, and authorship of children’s books and parenting articles. Her passion for education and mental health has earned her several accolades, including the University of Toronto at OISE’s Leaders & Legends Alumni Award for Distinguished Service and the University of Waterloo Arts Achievement Alumni Award. For those interested in exploring more of Dr. Jillian Roberts’ impactful work, you can visit the University of Victoria’s institutional repository, UVicSpace.
