Navigating the Dilemma: Teachers Call for Legal Guidance on Student's Personal Tech in School
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Educators Seek Clarification on Legal Aspects Regarding Mobile Phone Usage. - Educators seek clear legal guidelines regarding mobile phone usage.
Ever found yourself stumped when a student flaunts naughty content on their smartphone during recess? Well, that's exactly what left several experts scratching their heads during a discussion in the education committee of Schwerin's parliament.
Teachers are caught in a gray area if they decide to investigate such matters and peek into a student's private device, according to some of the invited experts.
In the face of such uncertainty, teachers are clamoring for legal protection from the government. They deserve the freedom to act responsibly, without compromising students' privacy rights, demanded Heike Walter, chairwoman of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's school management association. Professor Katharina Scheiter, a digital education expert from Potsdam, agreed, stating that clear legal guidelines could empower teachers to enforce rules and address parents more effectively.
Professor Rainer Riedel, a neurologist and psychotherapist, drew parallels with traffic regulations. Just as using a cell phone while driving is strictly prohibited and punishable, the same should apply to students in school, he suggested.
Schools crave autonomy when it comes to digital device use
Schools are eager for some leeway in deciding whether and to what extent smartphones or wrist-worn tech, such as smartwatches, are allowed in school. The committee found that schools want the freedom to set their own rules, with minimal interference from education authorities. Many schools have already worked with students to formulate these rules in school conferences.
In primary schools, it's common for phones to be switched off all day or handed in at the start of the school day. As students grow older, their devices are granted more freedom. Betty Hirschfeld, principal of the elementary school Sandberg in Neustrelitz, advocated for a complete ban on personal smartphones in schools up to the end of secondary education, i.e., grade nine. Riedel, on the other hand, suggested implementing "cell phone protection zones" due to increased screen dependency.
Cat and mouse game or open dialogue?
The chairman of the state student council, Felix Wizowsky, voiced concerns against an outright ban on smartphones in schools, arguing that it would only lead to a game of hide and seek between students and teachers. Instead, he advocated for a consensus where students would voluntarily hand over their phones before class.
Digital devices can indeed be harnessed creatively for teaching. Wizowsky suggested even writing a German dictation on a keyboard. However, he believed that cell phones should take up minimal space in school for children up to grade six.
The Game Plan: A Legal Guide for Schools
Education Minister Simone Oldenburg (Left) has announced plans to create a guide for schools to help teachers handle student mobile phones legally. She welcomed the idea stemming from the education committee hearing, stating, "We're ready to take action on this suggestion."
The guide will offer suggestions on how teachers can act lawfully in cases involving mobile phones. It will also provide recommendations for regulations suitable for different types of schools. Oldenburg dismissed the idea of an outright ban on personal mobile phones, tablets, or smartwatches in schools, insisting that a more sensible approach would be to consider the age, extent, and manner of device use, and establish school-specific regulations.
- Student
- Teacher
- Smartphone
- Digital Device
- Legal Guidance
- School Policy
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Schwerin
- German Education
- Student's Privacy Rights
- Teachers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's schools are advocating for legal guidance to address the issue of students using smartphones during school hours, in order to protect students' privacy rights while ensuring a responsible classroom environment.
- Education Minister Simone Oldenburg has announced plans to create a guide for schools, which will offer legal suggestions for teachers to handle student digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
- The guide will provide school-specific regulations, considering factors such as the age, extent, and manner of device use, rather than proposing an outright ban on personal digital devices in schools.
