Earbuds are in the supply list for every student because some apps or videos require sound, and we don’t want a roar of unsynched sounds in classrooms. BUT…we don’t want students who are working independently (think of student artists, students at computers, students reading in class) to have their earbuds in, NOR do we want students to walk around the building with earbuds in.
Why? Not because we want to deny them their music. Not because we don’t want them to look like thugs. Not because we are trying to micromanage them.
Here's why: We want students to interact with each other, to speak to and with each other, to work together, to share ideas, to collaborate, to learn how to converse, to greet each other—and to know how to survive without being plugged in all the time. Furthermore…when students are plugged in all the time, they miss out on hearing the guidance and direction of a teacher who is helping someone else in the room.
I've told students this: Pretend like it's 1995 and have a conversation!
Why? Not because we want to deny them their music. Not because we don’t want them to look like thugs. Not because we are trying to micromanage them.
Here's why: We want students to interact with each other, to speak to and with each other, to work together, to share ideas, to collaborate, to learn how to converse, to greet each other—and to know how to survive without being plugged in all the time. Furthermore…when students are plugged in all the time, they miss out on hearing the guidance and direction of a teacher who is helping someone else in the room.
I've told students this: Pretend like it's 1995 and have a conversation!