yay or nay, what do you think?
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/03/08/3714323-sun.html
Hold the phone: Administrators at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Ottawa's west end have banned the use of cellulars and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) on school property - be it in class or out.
The decision stems from an incident two weeks ago in which a student's cellphone camera captured footage of a teacher and some students in a school hallway.
While the images were described by school administrators as not being "malicious" in nature, the school took issue after the clip was posted on YouTube without the teacher's consent.
The clip has since been removed by the student who was not disciplined.
While regulations are already in place in the Catholic school board which restrict the use of cellphones in the classroom, Notre Dame has taken its policy a step further.
"What we are emphasizing now, to ensure the safety and security of all, is that they're not using (PEDs) on the school property," explained Principal Andre Potvin. "It disrupts the learning in the classroom, so they shouldn't be using these things."
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has received a number of complaints from teachers on the issue.
"We have not called for an outright ban," said Rhonda Kimberley-Young, OSSTF president. "But we do think that schools and school boards should have clear rules and policies about the use of not just cellphones but other electronic devices as well."
There are three main concerns, according to the OSSTF. The first is the distraction that such devices can cause in the classroom. The second major concern surrounds the privacy of an individual who may be recorded without consent. The third is the increased possibility of cheating.
"It does certainly raise the potential for students to access information that they shouldn't," said Kimberley-Young.
Notre Dame's policy is the first in Ottawa to clearly define the parameters and rationale of the ban. According to the policy, all PEDs are to be kept out of sight and turned off while on school property.
Violation of the policy will result in confiscation and possible disciplinary action.
LEGAL ISSUE
"At first, everyone was a little upset, there was a bit of an uproar," said Kayla Stroud, 17, co-president of Notre Dame's student council. "But no one was really aware of the legal and safety issues until the (YouTube) incident actually happened."
Not every student agrees with the new policy.
"I think it was a bit outrageous," said 17-year-old student Josh St. Louis. "When it comes to privacy, there are steps we can take, but I don't think it should be an outright ban."