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Original poster

How to word a letter about mobile phones being used in the classroom ?

199 replies

mamatomany · 04/11/2010 20:24

Apparently my 6 year olds year 2 teacher asks them to hang on a minute whilst she responds to a text Shock
There was something on the radio about the case in Plymouth and I just casually said none of your teachers have mobiles do they ? Turns out all three have witnessed teachers using their phones whilst the children work during the lessons.
I feel this is extremely unprofessional and in light of events should have been stopped months ago.
I want to approach the head WWDY ?

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Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:04

Do you want parents banned from taking photos on sports days, nativities and the like as well?

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:06

'No professional I know would use their mobile during class time either. It is not necessary. Any personal issues can be resolved with notification to the school office if necessary.

My son needs to be able to contact me without going through the school office on occasion, direct line and no one else's business. I answer in my break time.

scurryfunge · 04/11/2010 21:09

Exactly....emphasis on break time not classroom time. Nothing is such an emergency that the school cannot pass on a message.

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:12

"Nothing is such an emergency that the school cannot pass on a message."

I tried to phone our school from a course the other day, and could not get through for around 20 minutes as both lines were busy - so I will keep my phone on, thank you.

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:13

Can't we just ban all technology in schools? It's all so dangerous and capable of being abused. And irritating.

Lydwatt · 04/11/2010 21:14

Yes, that's my experience too! feenie!

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:14

Don't you go around being sensible Feenie, and demanding equality of access and being logical. That's no fun at all.

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:14
Lydwatt · 04/11/2010 21:14

....and slate.....

scurryfunge · 04/11/2010 21:15

You need to address this communication issue with your school then....still no excuse for chatting in lesson time.

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:15

Grin at Goblinchild. You do make me laugh!

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:15

Oh, we still have slates, we call them whiteboards now though.

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:16

I didn't say I would chat in lesson time - of course not. Unless it was an emergency. And what school wouldn't reasonably have two phone lines tied up?

oneofsuesylvesterscheerios · 04/11/2010 21:16

Mobile phones are 'allowed' at the school where I teach (secondary) but they have to be turned off or on silent in lesson times. If I sometime sccidently leave mine on the I get a text message I - generally - don't check it and I apologise to the students and we move on.

However, my dad is very ill at the moment and recently I have looked at my phone during classes if I get a text and if it's about dad I will read it, either in the class or just outside the door. This has only happened twice and I explained to the students why I was looking at my phone.

I'm ignoring the Vanesssa George references as I think they are irrelevant but I do think it's rude for a teacher to text someone back in a lesson and I'd want to know why she was doing this. If it was an emergency then fair enough.

Trying to contact teachers through the school office in an emergency is a nightmare. We have a queue system and a list of extensions to choose. I just wouldn't give the school number as my emergency number.

Lydwatt · 04/11/2010 21:17

'chatting'??? Shock

I have not heard any teacher say they 'chat' in lessons.....

when was that said?

I agree that 'chatting' would be totally and completely wrong

MmeLindt · 04/11/2010 21:20

I have requested that MN do a webchat with a child protection agency so that we can ask exactly how we should be protecting our DC. If you are interested please post on the thread so that they can gauge interest.

Lydwatt · 04/11/2010 21:22

...now there is a rational and sensible response MmeLindt, bravo

scurryfunge · 04/11/2010 21:23

Anything other than an emergency is chat. I still maintain that teachers do not need to have mobiles on during lessons....there is plenty of time to receive messages at break/lunchtimes.

MmeLindt · 04/11/2010 21:23

Webchat request here

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:25

Can we have a blanket ban for anyone at work then, instead of picking on one group?
Only personal mobiles, work mobiles would be licensed

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:26

And just how would I know there was an emergency unless my phone was on, scurryfunge?

How do people contact you in an emergency?

Lydwatt · 04/11/2010 21:26

I totally agree scurryfunge

Where do you have evidence of anything other than an emergency?

scurryfunge · 04/11/2010 21:28

Your phone can be active without being noisy and disruptive and without the need to respond to non emergency stuff.

People contact me by dialling 999 if they have to- if it is that much of an emergency or a message gets passed directly.

Feenie · 04/11/2010 21:31

Ahhh, then we agree. I was confused when you said "I still maintain that teachers do not need to have mobiles on during lessons" - an active phone is different.

Goblinchild · 04/11/2010 21:31

Bit of a bugger if you are on duty,or running a club though. Some obsessive parent could be lurking in the bushes, ready to Leap and Protect at a second's notice.

'I was checking my mail'
'YOU WERE PHOTOGRAPHING MY BABY TO SELL THE IMAGES'

I'm a bit worried by all those parents wandering the corridors, 'changing reading books' 'looking for Ben's jumper' when after school activities are also occurring.
Hmmmm.