Ipods becoming a distraction

Today, technology is taking over the lives of students around the world. Technology is changing every day with new inventions and students are being introduced to the new technology. It is rare to find students today who do not own iPods, cell phones, iPads and computers. This type of technology is what students have been introduced to and something that students have come to enjoy. Recently, there has been speculation over the use of this technology among high school students in classroom settings.

Recently, in the town I am from, town officials have banned the use of iPods and cell phones. Students are discouraged and frustrated because they paid money out of their own pockets to own these devices and they are being told they cannot use them while at school. Students are arguing that music helps them learn and concentrate while at school. The school committee of the local town held a meeting at the town hall last night where over 70 students voiced their opinions. Students brought up valid reasons to why iPods should be allowed in schools. One student said, “The ones not listening are the ones talking and disrupting students from paying attention to their studies” (Clark, Boston Globe). As of now, students are allowed to use iPods in the front hallway and in the cafeteria. The students are trying to ramify this rule to use iPods in non classroom settings such as hallways, libraries and study halls.

I agree with the students and if I were still in high school, I would have a front row seat at the town hall voicing my opinion as well. Why shouldn’t students be able to use their iPods? Students should be treated like adults. When students are assigned homework and given multiple responsibilities (athletic and academic) the students are treated as adults to get these responsibilities done. In this case, why should students be treated any differently? The high school students should be treated as adults and be able to use their iPods when they choose to, however still following the local high schools rule, “No iPods in the classroom.” Some students like to listen to music when they are doing homework. When classes end, the hallways become crowded with students talking loudly. Why should a student not be able to flip that iPod on and listen to a quick tune? Some students listen to music to relieve stress as well. Some students who play sports listen to music to keep calm and stay relaxed. Also, students who are stressed out in general over a class or test will listen to music to calm themselves.

A student brought up a valid point in the meeting on Monday night, preaching the ones that are not listening are the ones doing the talking and distracting the other students. If a few students want to talk and be obnoxious during study hall, why should a student who is doing their school work be distracted by these obnoxious students. If that student wants to turn on his iPod to get work done, that student should have the right to do so. I have no problem with the school committee banning students from using the devices in classrooms. I believe iPods in classrooms are distracting, and rude to the teachers who are trying to teach a lesson. College is a different story, because I see student’s everyday in classrooms with iPods in their ears while a professor is teaching a lesson. But we are talking about high school not college.

I believe students should have their freedom and be able to listen to iPods in non classroom settings. After all, students are paying for these devices, not the school committee. Some of these devices can cost students well over two hundred dollars. High school is about growing up and preparing for college. The teachers should treat the students like adults. If students feel comfortable listening to music while studying in the library or in study hall, then they should be able to do so. I believe most students would agree, listening to music would cause less talking and more studying in libraries and study halls. I remember in high school being yelled at all the time for talking in the library or study hall. By listening to an iPod, it would diminish the talking and increase the studying. Today students are under a lot of pressure and giving students access to iPods might diminish stress levels, and therefore raise students overall school performance. Pressures include admission to college, big exams, SATs, MCAS, and for student athletes, big games. If music can be a students’ outlet for stress, then being able to listen to music should be allowed. After all, isn’t a major focus within a district the well-being of their students?