The director of this region’s English public school board indicates that District School Board Ontario Northeast (DSB-1) has already been adhering to a newly announced provincial policy on cellphones in classrooms.
Education minister Stephen Lecce updated what’s called the Policy Program Memorandum this week.
Director Lesleigh Dye says her board embraces the use of technology for learning. Personal devices are allowed, if the use is directly tied to the aim of the lesson.
“Cellphones for personal use, we already have a procedure that that’s not to happen in our classrooms,” she points out.
Dye goes on to note that Lecce has included limited exemptions.
“My reading of the policy is that that would be under very special circumstances due to family considerations for the student.”
Dye says the board looks forward to working with students and families on that.
“Our goal is to maximize as many minutes as possible for learning,” she states, “and I think the changes to this PPM will help us move in that direction.”
Dye says high school students in particular must realize they don’t have to respond immediately to a social media message.
Here is our entire interview: