Disruption in British classrooms by smart phones faces major probe

An investigation was announced Sunday by Britain's Schools Minister Nick Gibb to look at disruption in classrooms by students using smart phones during lessons.

Teachers across the country report growing numbers of children are bringing personal devices into classes, hindering teaching and leading to disruption.

In a recent study the London School of Economics found that banning mobile phones from classrooms could benefit students' learning by as much as an additional week's worth of schooling over an academic year.

The LSE report also found that banning phones would most benefit low-achieving children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools in England has joined the so-called '21st century debate' by calling for schools to ban children from bringing phones into lessons.

The possible banning of mobile devices will now be a major issue reviewed by education expert, former teacher Tom Bennett, who has been tasked by the school's minister to investigate disruptive behavior in schools.

Bennett said: "Technology is transforming society and even classrooms, but all too often we hear of lessons being disrupted by the temptation of the smartphone.

"Learning is hard work and children are all too aware of this. So when they have a smartphone in their pocket that offers instant entertainment and reward, they can be easily distracted from their work.

"This is a 21st-century problem and the majority of schools are dealing with it effectively. But I will now probe deeper into this issue, and behavior challenges more broadly, to uncover the real extent of the problem and see what we can do to ensure all children focus on their learning."

Schools Minister Gibb said: "We need to make sure the advice we give to schools and the approaches being used across the country are fit for the 21st century when even primary school pupils may be bringing in phones or tablets. Whether it is the use of mobile phones in schools or the attitudes of parents to their child's behavior in class, we will now probe deeper into behavior to ensure no child has to put up with having their education disrupted by misbehavior."

The most recent survey in Britain shows the vast majority of schools have some form of mobile phone policy in place. One third of schools ban mobile phones outright, with a further fifth limiting their use in lessons.

The announcement Sunday cites one school, the Ebbsfleet Academy in Kent, where exam results have almost doubled since the school banned smartphones.

An eight-strong team of behavior experts is to assemble to help Bennett in his review of how teachers are trained to tackle poor behavior in British schools. Endit