Regulating cell phones in institutes: “We cannot prevent them”

The debate about the use of mobile phones in schools is more lively than ever. In January, regulations will be ready which will be mandatory to comply with for the next academic year in Catalonia, and this may be possible Ban them in schools, but allow them in high schoolsThey can be used in the classroom at the discretion of each teacher, and always for pedagogical purposes. It serves the debate and from the academic field they see it with healthy eyes And adapt its regulations to take into account different educational stages and demand to ensure quality digital education.

This is what Mikel Angel Prats, professor of educational technology at Blancuerna believes – URL, who asks for “flexibility” from the government to implement the future regulatory framework taking into account the realities of each center. It is clear that It is necessary to educate students digitally and warn about the dangers of the ban All digital devices in the classroom. “We cannot afford not to educate them about the technologies in an ethical, safe and responsible way,” he says.

Digital education against misinformation

Defend that Computer and tablet can be very useful devices To “prepare” them to use mobile phones and work on digital education and critical thinking by encouraging them e.g Information asymmetry or fake news detection.

The independence of the centers in deciding their use

Prats points out that Future regulation of mobile phones in schools and institutes must respect the independence of the centres And advocate that they have the flexibility to be able to make decisions. The administration is asked “not to slow down” those innovative centers that have their own projects for working with mobile phones in classrooms. “If there is a digitally mature team, let them work,” with a project that correctly identifies mobile phone usage and time.

In addition, he recommends increasing digital training not only for students, but also for all teachers and families. It is also proposed that the regulation be a “living base, with constant updating” to respond to challenges New educational challenges such as artificial intelligence.