Page 50 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

TROPIC • OPINION

Paul Shaun
Sjogren Donaldson
Principal Director
Trinity Anglican Halpin Partners
School

Mobile phones in school? FNQ Resilience

obile phones in schools is a hot topic. A major issue n a recent trip out west I was amazed at the resilience
Mto consider is the dual role of modern mobile devices Oof some of the original inhabitants of FNQ. From the
– as a possible tool for learning and as a method for sharing early explorers (battling a foreign, hostile landscape) to
social media. Of course, these two roles can overlap at times! government surveyors mapping out early pastoral leases
Recent research illustrates the current views. A study titled (risking life and limb sleeping in a basic tent for weeks at
“I don’t think I would be where I am right now” looked at a time) to gold and mineral explorers (whose average life
pupil perspectives on using mobile devices for learning expectancy was 40) many men, and women, battled harsh
conducted student surveys. The results show that 43% of conditions and took on challenges with a high degree
students attending the school where devices are banned of difficulty and low chance of success. Despite only 1 in
are still using them to help with learning despite the ban. 100 striking it risk in the gold rush many still took up the
Most respondents in this study say they use their device for challenge!
Google and calendars during the school day (note: both can I have no doubt this early resilience and toughness rubbed
be accessed from a laptop). off on today’s inhabitants of FNQ. Whilst the challenges may
At TAS, we don’t allow mobile phones to be used at school be different there is no doubt you need resilience to survive
without permission and whilst we are aware that some and prosper in this part of the world, and for those who can

students carry mobile phones with them, they are required hang in there the opportunity and reward can be significant.
to be turned off and unseen during school hours. My view In addition to resilience the real key to success is to make
is that the capacity of smart phones to assist learning is sure you surround yourself with a great team, advisors,
also provided by student laptops but without the same level mentors, friends and colleagues. With a great team and FNQ
of temptation to misuse social media and the potential resilience anything is possible.
risk that allowing phone usage in the classroom can lead
to. Laptops use our wireless network, whilst phones use MORE: halpinpartners.com.au
their own network and are thus unmonitored by our digital
security platform. It would appear that phones are more
prone to be used in instances of cyberbullying than laptops.
A study, conducted in the United States, reveals concerns Lauren
held by some students about the risks involved with allowing Moal
mobile phones to be used freely at school. The research, Marketing
“Hold the phone! High School Students’ Perceptions of Strategist
Mobile Phone Integration in the Classroom”, was published Tropic
in 2016. “Across the 628 students surveyed, worries
range from general distraction (for example, phones
ringing during class) to fears about other students using Food for thought
smartphones to cheat, sext and cyberbully.”
From a culture and community perspective, I visited You don’t have to be a ‘hipster’ to realise there is something of
another local school recently and walked through the yard a food revolution happening right now in Cairns. And I have
during break time. Most students were engaged with their to admit, it’s kind of exciting. If your social media newsfeed is
phones and not the people around them. Whilst using anything like mine, it’s filled with the latest #foodporn trend,
phones can open up new opportunities for conversation and because anyone can now take an Instagram-worthy pic of
collaboration, it can also negatively impact the development their latest breakfast, lunch or dinner. How awesome then
of other, important 21st century social skills. that we have some incredible chefs in the Tropical North with
elaborate plating skills. It’s all about pushing food boundaries,
MORE: tas.qld.edu.au changing the game, and people dine out with the expectation
that their food will look amazing. It’s really cool that local
chefs are taking up the Insta-worthy challenge.
This new foodie revolution is also fuelling local food festivals,
inspiring creativity and bringing people together. Our recent
Meet Eat Repeat at Paradise Palms saw restaurants like Nu
Nu, C’est Bon and NOA get involved in the action, bringing a

gourmet element to the street food vibe of MER.
The foodie revolution continues on September 29 with the
next Meet Eat Repeat at Paradise Palms.
Get Insta-ready!

MORE: tropicnow.com.au

50 • Tropic • Issue 13