BOW VALLEY – School is back in session, but screen time will be limited as Bow Valley schools dial in new rules aimed at keeping students focused, with personal mobile devices turned off and tucked away during class.
The move follows direction from the Alberta government announced in spring to ban cellphones in classrooms across the province beginning in September.
Instead of waiting until the province’s deadline of Jan. 1 to put its own policies and procedures in place, Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) is already following new guidelines as of Monday (Aug. 26) – the division’s first day of school.
“Most school divisions have decided to start it now because it becomes more challenging to implement something halfway through a year,” said CRPS superintendent Chris MacPhee. “What we're doing is using this as a buffer period, getting students acclimatized to new rules and regulations. We want students to become accustomed to the changes.”
CRPS policy notes students are prohibited from using personal mobile devices, including smart watches during instructional time. Devices must be turned off and tucked out of sight.
Exceptions may be made for health reasons, specialized learning needs, or teacher-approved educational activities.
During school hours, student access to social media will also be blocked on CRPS networks.
The biggest adjustment to new guidelines will be for high school students, said MacPhee. At the lower grade levels, CRPS was already following similar policies.
Our Lady of the Snows (OLS), which is under Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools division, had also already adopted policies restricting the use of personal devices in school.
“There are some possible exceptions for teachers using their professional judgment to allow them for specific, educational activities,” said OLS principal Ryan Fox, in a newsletter sent out Tuesday (Aug. 27) – the day before the school’s first day of classes.
“Whenever devices are allowed for a class activity, the school will always provide the necessary technology for students who don’t have or don’t wish to use a personal device. Otherwise, the standards indicate that personal electronic devices must be silenced or turned off, and out of sight. (...) This is in line with previous school policies.”
CRPS says its restrictions will vary by grade level, with Kindergarten to Grade 8 students prohibited from using personal mobile devices during school hours and students in grades 9 to 12 allowed to use personal mobile devices before the first bell rings, at lunch and after school.
At OLS, Kindergarten to Grade 9 students are not allowed to use personal devices outside of instructional time.
“High school students are allowed some use on a limited basis which will be covered with them on the first day,” said Fox.
“We will introduce the new guidelines in full detail with our students (age appropriately) and reinforce them in the days ahead as students learn the expected behaviours.”
The change comes after the province heard from more than 68,000 parents, teachers, students and other education partners. Of those respondents, 90 per cent expressed concern that personal mobile devices, as well as social media, can harm student achievement and mental health.
A University of Alberta study that surveyed Grade 5 students prior to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests setting boundaries on cellphones early in childhood helps curb problematic use later in life.
As children grow older and gain constant access to cellphones, it can lead to distractions in school and hinder social development, the study suggests.
CRPS says in keeping with current research, it will continue to educate students on responsible device use, focusing on minimizing distractions and promoting mental well-being.
“Our division is committed to creating a learning environment that prioritizes student well-being, safety, and academic success,” said MacPhee. “These guidelines will advance our aims.”
In Alberta, the Alberta Teachers Association, College of Alberta Superintendents, Alberta Schools Councils Association and other key education stakeholders have voiced support for restrictions on personal mobile devices in schools.
In addition to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have joined British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec in recently imposing cellphone restrictions in schools in Canada.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
