Arrowhead kids technology use at school

There have been many technology changes in the past years for Arrowhead students from the addition to every kid having a laptop for everyday school work, to the new cell phone usage policy. The new policy makes it so kids are not allowed to have phones in class at all for most classes and teachers are just becoming more strict about phone usage.

In the past seven years, Arrowhead kids have been expected to have a computer everyday and the curriculum has changed to more online and technology based style.

This year at Arrowhead at both North and South, there was a new cell phone policy. Basically, you are not allowed to have your phone out at all, and it has to be either in your backpack or in your locker. Some students are not a fan of the new rule.

Senior Ty Roznowski said, “It’s just not really what I’m used to and it took a while to get used to.”

However, Senior, Nick Tarnow said, “I never really used my phone much in class for school work anyways, so it isn’t anything new for me.”

Senior Austin Cummings said, “I don’t really understand the new rule. We are 17 and 18 years old and I think we can use our phones responsibility…The teachers should allow phones in class and if a kid wants to do well in class, then they won’t be on their phone that much.”

Some teachers have made the change from Google classroom to other online classroom platforms, like Canvas,  which can be frustrating for kids, changing back and forth between platforms. The autos classes and other electives use Canvas, while English teachers tend to use either Google drive sharing or Google classroom for the convenience of sharing and editing folders.

Some teachers have different rules for phones as well. Some still let you have them out as long as you use them responsibly, like science teacher Jim Albers. Some teachers, like Diana Ehlers, have cubbies now that you have to keep your back pack in the cubbies along with your phone and everything that you do not need for the day. Also other teachers have students keep their phones in the cell phone pocket holders, where you drop your phone in your assigned number slot as you walk into class.

The policy states that cell phone use is prohibited at all times. When you go into the classroom, you must silence your phone and leave it in your backpack. The first offense is a verbal warning. The second offense will result in the phone being taken down to the office where you can get it at the end of the day. A third offense requires a guardian to pick it up at the end of the day. Every one of your offenses will be entered into skyward and remain on your disciplinary record.