Cellphones are now prevalent everywhere in schools, universities and other educational centers. Unfortunately, they cause many disruptions during class. Students will check text messages during class, have their ringtones go off when a call comes in, or simply scroll lazily on an app while the teacher gives a lesson. Cellphone use distracts students and teachers both during class, leading to unnecessary interruptions, lack of focus, low grades, and increased depression and anxiety among students. So how can schools manage cellphone use for better classroom environments? Let's dive in.

No Phones Allowed

The first thing that schools should do is set a strict no-phone policy. When it's clear to students that no phones can be used during class or in-between classes, and when there are clear punishments for doing so, it will be easier for schools to implement further policies and rules regarding cellphone use.

Keep Phones Charged at All Times

This rule may be a bit counter-intuitive for schools. If we don't want students to use their phones during school hours, why should we keep them charged? For one, it offers students free charging during the day. This can help lower-income families keep their electricity costs low at home while their kids charge their phones at school. Second, it allows for a full battery if students ever need to make an emergency phone call, or if they need to contact parents after school regarding a pickup. Keeping students' phones charged at 100% should be a priority for all schools. Students and families will be a little more receptive to any cellphone restrictions that schools put in place when they know phones will always be charged.

Keep Phones Secure and Close By

Students and families will be hesitant to follow a cellphone restriction policy if there's no secure way to store phones. Theft is common in the US, and if phones are kept in a wide-open cubby, they may be stolen easily. Keeping students' phones under lock and key will help curb theft, but doing so isn't viable in most classroom setups today. Putting all the phones in the teacher's desk leads to disorganization and there may not be enough space for all of the phones.

Give Each Student a Dedicated Locker Space

Giving each student a dedicated locker space that is securely locked and inside the classroom is a good way to manage cellphone use in schools. Lockers like Chargetech's Guardian Charging Lockers are accessible only by the student and no one else. A unique PIN code or fingerprint opens the locker, and each student can put their phone in their designated locker bay for the whole day. Charging cables are in each bay for Type-C or Apple Lightning, covering all modern phones. Putting these lockers in the back of the classroom in an unobtrusive way helps keep cellphones secure and out of the way, giving teachers and students a distraction-free, anxiety-free and stress-free classroom. Chargetech also recommends branding the lockers or each locker bay to make them personable to the homeroom and each student. 

Give us a call today if you would like to learn more about our charging lockers:

949-734-4377