After reviewing Tackling tech: How some Ontario teachers are attempting to limit students’ cellphone use by Nadine Yousif I thought back to my times as a student in the classroom at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels and saw a strong connection and correlation to my memories and this article. Matthew Acheson, a high school teacher in Kitchener, ON at St. Mary’s has seen how distracted his students are from their cellphones. In a way to fight the distraction, he used a phone pouch that blocks wifi and social media apps, and the students can’t open the pouches unless he unlocks them. Mr Acheson found positive results with these pouches. 
After reflecting about distraction in the classroom via cellphones and laptops during my time as a student, I realized that the issues I observed during university lectures are trickling down into the high school and elementary school levels.
After being in placement at both levels, I find that as the years go on and our technology makes strides forward, the age of those with cell phones at school is drastically getting younger and younger. A number of my students in grades 5 and 6 had their own cell phones… Back in my time, it was almost unheard of. I personally didn’t get my first cell phone until grade 8 graduation.
As much as these devices are a distraction, they have a multitude of benefits. Technology, when used properly can help enrich classes and learning. However, the problem stems with those who have little to no self-regulation. 
The article mentioned an alternative pouch that Marcel O’Gorman, the individual who runs the Critical Media Lab at the University of Waterloo, used and enclosed the pouches with velcro, making it impossible for the students to get their phones without making a distraction and having all eyes on them. This method at least tackles and improves the notion of self-regulation to students.
Personally, I am not against technology in the classroom. But as an educator, I’m going to ask my students to partake in the use of technology and using pen & paper, allowing them to have exposure to both worlds and get experience for their digital literacy and fine motor skils.
After partaking in a Twitter chat around #unboundeq, my fondness for this application took over. It is a great medium to express yourself, convey information & messages and interact with followers & those interested in the hashtag.
Throughout the blog there are a few screenshots from my Twitter thread, and a link to the thread can be found here: https://twitter.com/guchimane1/status/1056342532039327745
At the rate our technology seems to move forward, fighting this issue is a tough battle. Some even say “they’re fighting a losing battle” (Mr Acheson said that, it’s in the article). I think as educators, this issue could be worked around by teaching our students the ideals of right time and place for everything.
