Updated 2/9/13 at 9:22 PM
Attention juniors, sophomores, and freshmen: Filling out this survey could help you and your classmates get greater access to technology on campus. Seniors, as students who have witnessed unprecedented growth of technology on campus over the past four years, we want your input, too.
As Saint Ignatius prepares for the 2013-2014 school year, the administration has decided to give students the chance to voice their opinions on a wide variety of issues relating to BYOT, especially the possibility of a restructured policy towards cellphones and portable digital technology. While there are no guarantees, any policy changes will make room for input on behalf of the student body. So what do you think should change? Follow this link to fill out the survey.
After you fill out the form, use the comments thread below to share your views right away.
Here are some of the survey responses we have received so far….
Policy Core
What rules are most important? What should and shouldn’t be allowed? Where should you be allowed to use your phones and other devices?
- “The main restriction should be a choice for that teacher to decide whether or not the student is or is not allowed to use technology. The other main point of restriction is use in the chapel where there should be attention to God not twitter.”
- “free periods you should be allowed. You sould not be allowed to use them in class, and this should be more enforced. You should not have to register your phone and you should be allowed to play games and listen to music durring free periods as long as it does not desturb the surrounding students (use ear phones).”
- “No gaming only devices allowed (PSP DS). Tablets, Smartphones, Laptops, and net books are OK. No cellphones in classroom without teacher approval.”
- “I believe that following the handbook, there should be a ban on cell phone usage within the classroom. If given such power, greater attention is drawn from the core reason we attend school, and is given to our technology. However, i think that what a student chooses to do outside the classroom should be his responsibility, it’s not harming anyone if he uses his cell phone but if he chooses not to use his free periods or any free time wisely, he’s teaching himself bad habits for his future, therefore harming none but himself.”
- “I use my phone a lot to check my NetClassroom after I am anxious to know my score on a test, or even to check my email when Mrs. Pavlik sends out the daily announcements. I mean lets think a little. What is the point of sending out an e-mail for daily announcements if I can’t see it until I actually get to a computer? Even by then it will be too late. Also, some teachers don’t mind cell phone use in class for school-related purposes, unless stated otherwise. It is difficult to have to keep remembering which teachers care and which don’t. Also, if my schedule changes throughout the day, I sometimes find it hard just to contact my parents and tell them about these changes. To answer the questions, I think recreational games/notifying parents/checking grades or assignments are all fine. I think during homeroom and free periods are times when you can use your phone.”
- “Phones have no place in the classroom. In the mall or in Rade, who cares how people choose to spend their time?”
Off Limits Zones
Should there be locations on campus where no persons (student or adult) should use any electronic device at any time of the day? If so, what locations do you suggest? How should this be enforced?
- “I think the chapel is the most important place to keep off limits. Other than that, classes where classes are going on. And obviously no talking on the phone in the library.”
- “No. Electronic devices should be allowed anywhere on camps “
- “No texting while being taught. Have phone banks like Wimbo where we can put our phones in at the begining of class and take them out at the end.”
- “No student use of personal technologies any where on campus during school! WE NEED TO BE STRICTER ON SCHOOL POLICIES. WE HAVE TURNED IGNATIUS INTO A BUNCH OF SLACKING, DISORDERED, AND SLOPPY PEOPLE. WE NEED ORDER!”
- “No, let people use the devices they purchased themselves.”
Gray Areas
Is it ok to use your phone, laptop, or tablet for games, personal messages, Twitter, or Facebook during school hours? Do you use social networking for academic purposes? Should any of this be regulated?
- “I honestly think it is ok for people to use electronic devices for personal messages, games, and social media sites. What’s the harm in doing so? I do not see any. I also do use social networking for academic purposes more than you might think. I do think it should be regulated because students may post inappropriate material that may hurt the integrity of this school.”
- “Yes, it is perfectly okay, it should even be encouraged to play games or do leisure activities on your devices during school. All of us students are high schoolers, we don’t want to learn for 7 straight hours, even with free periods and lunch, we like to relax and have a little fun. For English last year, Mr. Strauss had us set up a twitter account for a project and it was really fun and interactive. I, as well as the whole class, I’m sure, thoroughly enjoyed it. “
- “This should be allowed because it would force students into real life situations like time management skills used in everyday like those in college. These can be challenges that a college studen can face so I feel that St. Ignatius could best prepare us for them if the students were allowed.”
- “I don’t know if it is truly necessary to to send personal messages, tweets, or be on Facebook during the day. If there can be a true academic purpose tied into the social media sites then perhaps that is something to look in to, but personal messaging on any domain should be regulated.”
Etiquette
What rules of “phone etiquette” should students be expected to follow on campus?
- “Don’t text or take pictures of teachers. Always keep phone on silent when in class. Don’t do anything on your phone at school that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.”
- “As far as etiquette goes, I don’t think a phone should be visible when speaking with an adult on campus, whether it be a teacher, administrator, faculty member, or guest/alumnus. It’s just plain rude and inconsiderate. Sneaking a look at your phone while class is in session is a bit rude as well, to fellow classmates and the teacher. Otherwise, I think technology should be freely used on campus.”
- “Use phones moderately and not all the time. Don’t use all of your free period on Twitter when work could get done. In the lunchroom don’t keep your eyes on your phone the whole period when with others; rather, engage in conversation or do work.”
- “No pictures of students or even teachers on social networks without the consent of the person/people in the picture.”
- “Don’t be playing a game when the teacher is talking. Don’t make it phone centered place, stil communicate with others.”
- “None whatsoever, except applicable legal statutes.”
