Digital MP3 Players In The Classroom: Thoughts From A HighSchool Student
Way back in November, I wrote a post regarding my observations on the use of MP3 players in the classroom. Yesterday, I received a comment from a highschool student on this post, and it’s definitely worth replicating here. It reads:
I am a high school student, and right now, the school I am attending is in the process of trying to ban mp3 players at my school. I am highly opposed to this action for several reasons, mainly those reasons listed above, but others as well. I don’t want to seem overly critical of my school because I’m greatful for the education it provides, but my school does seem to have a problem with adapting to the changes of society and it’s youth. Case in point being iPods and other mp3 players in classrooms. The panel in charge of making district policy doesn’t seem to be able to embrace new technology and use it to their advantage. Alec seems to understand that there is a use for music in the class. From personal experience, I know that listening to music can distract me from other distractions. Also, it is much easier for me to concentrate on my work when I can’t hear everyone around me. I can zone in and concentrate. The people at my school opposed to allowing mp3 players in the class constitute the minority at my school. I can’t give exact figures, but i can say that over half the teachers at my school are willing to let students have there music in class. But the others are the ones who yell the loudest and push the hardest. Right now, I am writing a proposal to the school board, asking them to change their views on policy regarding mp3 players and allow teachers to decide whether or not music will be allowed in their classrooms. In my opinion, the decision of whether or not music should be allowed in the class should be left to the teacher. Blanket policies like the one the school board panel is trying to enact only takes away a teachers ability to govern their classroom.
So here’s a student who’s willing to write a post regarding what he believes in, and continues to push for change in his school … change that will benefit his own education. His telling words, “my school does seem to have a problem with adapting to the changes of society and it’s youth” hits the issue dead-on.
Good luck Peter! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the blogosphere, and I know there are many of us that wish you the best of success in your fight. We just wish you didn’t have to.
Related posts:
May 19th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
We need to hear more from students. Thanks Alec for posting this. Let’s encourage each other to find these voices.
May 26th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
this article say they should ban music in the school well i think music should be aloud in school because people can concentrate better on there work.thats what i think cool article
September 8th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
I listen to music during class and get all my work done correctly fastest. I also used my mp3 during exams (not in the actual exam) as a way of revising, and on that exam I got the highest mark in the class of a B+.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Cool … thanks Patrick for sharing!
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:45 am
i like ipods.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Buddy, yer mad. I loves me tunes on me face. They gets me pumped for that ol’ math and anglish. cuz when i beeze pumpin that g-unit, i feels like smacking a bitch. So, mp3 players are da gear nigg nigg!
December 6th, 2006 at 9:57 am
i think mp3 players should be let in the class room coz it helps the pupils concentrate much better so they do more work.
December 6th, 2006 at 9:58 am
i think mp3 players should be let in the class room coz it helps the pupils concentrate much better so they do more work.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/music-enhances-learning.htm
A very interesting article about this same thing.
It is proven to enhance learning in some children. Music classes have helped improve verbal memorization, as well. My school has just recently allowed MP3 players at certain times, and all of the students have taken advantage of it. It is much more quiet now, and all of the students are concentrating. Great article Alec.
February 28th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
i think mp3 players should be alllowed because it hase been proven that music helps increase IQ’s and test scores… most of all consentration….
January 8th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I will love having MP3 players in school because i think it make us pay in class and we will not get in trouble in class like study hall.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Of course music is a fun to listen to. I think that Schools should make it a big deal. I love to listen to my music while I do my work in class. When the teacher starts talking I just simply take my earphones out of ears to listen to the instructions.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Schools who ban music devices are so unreasonable. They have no idea the importance of music among our generation. Rather then my peers “sneakingly” listening to thier music, I think they should be allowed. I hate how Authority has the power to take away something so important as music. Whats next?!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:56 am
music rocks teachers hate and i think the bored of educations should be allow mp3 players to be active in the class rooms.
November 15th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Note the poor spelling of these kids who want to use technology.
December 28th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Schools who ban music devices are so unreasonable. They have no idea the importance of music among our generation. Rather then my peers “sneakingly” listening to thier music, I think they should be allowed. I hate how Authority has the power to take away something so important as music. Whats next?!
January 14th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I agree. I f they don’t want us to have cell phones in school, why don’t they do the stuff we do. Math, Arithmetic, science, social studies, etc.. Once they find out how hard this stuff actually is they will probably allow us to have phones of MP3 players.(Ipod Touch)
January 14th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
CELL FONES R AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 14th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Rdog54 I totally agree with you I am tired of them tellign us we need to use our BRAINS!!
January 15th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
[...] http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/536 [...]
February 17th, 2010 at 9:22 am
i love my i-pod and music in general helps me work !!!!!