As a high school educator, I can confidently say that my children will not be receiving AirPods this holiday season.
It’s no secret that many high school teachers harbor a strong dislike for cell phones. While we may own them ourselves and recognize their necessity in our students’ lives, the frustration they bring is palpable. After a long week at school, I often wish I could shout at the first person I see, “Put your phone down!” and then make a quick getaway. Instead, I simply head home to unwind.
The Chaos of AirPods in the Classroom
However, this year, the popularity of AirPods has introduced a new layer of chaos into the classroom environment. These wireless earbuds have quickly become a staple on every teenager’s wish list, but they also exacerbate classroom distractions. As a teacher with six years of experience, I’ve heard countless excuses from students when I ask them to focus on their work instead of their devices. Some of the most common responses include:
- “Can I just finish this game?”
- “You can’t take my phone; you didn’t buy it.”
- “I have ADD; music helps me concentrate.”
- “My mom will be angry if you take my phone.”
When I relay these issues to parents, their responses can be startling. Some say, “Feel free to take her phone; she gets anxious if I do,” or, “He’s bigger than me; what can I do?” It seems many parents overlook the fact that if they’re intimidated by their own children, how can they expect me to manage a classroom full of them?
Understanding the Parental Perspective
I understand the challenges parents face; I’m a parent too. My kids can easily spend hours on video games or scrolling through TikTok when they could be engaging in more productive activities like reading or volunteering. I make sure they know my stance on excessive screen time.
Now, with the advent of AirPods, a new set of distractions has emerged. These tiny earbuds not only allow students to listen to music from a peer’s phone, but they also create an air of mystery as I try to locate the source of the sound. I often waste precious teaching time chasing down the culprit. Additionally, their small case makes them easy to lose, leading to interruptions as students scramble to retrieve them. I frequently hear, “I left my AirPods in another class; can I go look for them?” It’s hard to deny them when you remember they cost around $159.
The Impact on Learning
Indeed, over 90% of the classroom disruptions I encounter can be traced back to cell phone usage or music emanating from these devices. I’ve witnessed students struggle academically, even bright ones, due to their obsession with their screens. In this digital age, it seems that many kids have formed a symbiotic relationship with their devices. The silver lining is that they do, in fact, sleep once unplugged—but I’m certainly not advocating for naptime in the classroom. It would be ideal if they could simply disconnect during school hours and save the technological distractions for home.
Thus, my children will not be receiving AirPods this year. They do not need another expensive gadget that will further hinder their ability to engage and take responsibility for their education.
Further Reading and Resources
For more insights on parenting and educational challenges, check out our recent blog post. If you’re exploring options for family planning, you might also want to look into resources from Make A Mom and the CDC, which can be valuable in your journey.
In summary, as a teacher, I see the detrimental effects of AirPods and cell phones on students’ focus and learning. This Christmas, I will be opting out of gifting them to my children, hoping instead for their engagement and responsibility in their education.