2. Step 1 Initially, I had decided that smartphones are a very big distraction for students in middle school of ages 12-15.

3. Step 2

4. Pro #1 of No Smartphones  Students would not be caught in between two worlds. They would instead have the time and space in their brain to focus on the learning material that is being taught to them in the classroom.  The New York Times article states, “computers and cellphones, and the constant stream of stimuli they offer, pose a profound new challenge to focusing and learning”.

5. Pro #2 of No Smartphones  The meaning of learning would not be taken away from the students. The smartphones would not be a constant worry and occupation for the young minds.  Students would be able to focus on actually learning the material instead of trying to Google the answer quickly or texting their friends.  The New York Times article states, “Their brains are rewarded not for staying on task but for jumping to the next thing”.

6. Pro #3 of No Smartphones  Students would not be exposed to inappropriate material during school hours.  According to Concordia Online Education, “While schools can limit the availability of websites that can be viewed on their network, students may find links that slipped through the system. There will also be times that students will not be accessing the Internet through a monitored network”.

7. However, others might believe that having no smartphones in middle school is a bad idea for the following reasons…

8. Con #1 of No Smartphones  Students would be limited only to the information provided to them in the classroom. They would not have a wider access to information via their smartphones.  According to Concordia Online Education, “With Internet access, children can be exposed to a world of creative ideas outside of their bubble. They can learn another language, or teach themselves how to draw, knit, or play chess”.

9. Con #2 of No Smartphones  Some students would not be able to participate in social learning. Perhaps the shy students do not like to talk in class and in front of other people. But if they had smartphones maybe they would be able to contribute a lot to a class discussion via an online source through their smartphone.  According to Concordia Online Education,“Social learning is a great way for students to share information, thoughts and ideas on a subject. Properly focused, some students, who may be quiet or shy in a classroom, may blossom in a social learning situation made possible by digital devices”.

10. Con #3 of No Smartphones  Students would not be able to get instant answers during class, if the teacher is busy with another topic or the student is too shy to ask.  According to Concordia Online Education,“…this also gives students the ability to get an answer to a question they may feel uncomfortable asking in class. If a teacher uses a term they don’t understand, they can find the answer discretely, and without interrupting the class”.

11. The End What do you think now?