As of September 2013, Lexington Christian Academy’s librarian Mrs Schoenherr is not only confiscating cellular devices from students but headphones as well -- a new modification to the technology policy has prohibited the use of headphones and ipods from all academic spaces, including the library.

 

“The policy,” Student Life Director Scott Stevens (‘89) explains, “resulted from discussions on how [LCA], as an academic institute, should approach technology.” Mr. Stevens, faculty, and the technology office met last spring in order to redress the student technology policy.

 

The new technology policy change can be outlined as the following:

 

• iPods, phones, or other mp3 players cannot be used academic spaces, which includes the library, classrooms, and Cross Worship Center

 

• Headphones cannot be worn or used in academic spaces unless a teacher grants special permission for his/her class only.

 

• iPods, mp3 players, headphones, etc can be used in the hallways or student commons

 

Mr. Stevens continues, “LCA wants to promote its academic spaces for academics only. By restricting these devices, [LCA] wants to teach students how to manage their time properly without distractions.” Because the library is an academic space, the policy must be consistent throughout. Thus technological devices are prohibited from use in the library.

 

The modification also addresses past problems that had occurred in the library -- last year several students had broken school rules by using their cell phones for games and other non-academic purposes. While the majority of students own smart phones that have multiple functions such as the ability to play music, the use of cellphones has always been strictly prohibited during school hours.

 

“Nowadays, technology (such as ipods and cell phones) can be used for multiple purposes,” Mrs Schoenherr explains. “As devices get smaller, it is harder to monitor each student in the library and decipher whether he/she is truly using and listening to their ipods for academic reasons. Unfortunately, in the past many students have not been using their devices appropriately.”

 

Mr. Stevens agrees: “Last year, if students had their ipods, computers, or other devices out and were using them for nonacademic purposes, such as facebook or twitter, they received a detention. This year [LCA] allows much more leniency, loosening certain restrictions such as using facebook during school, while tightening others.”

 

However, the majority of LCA students are upset by the new policy. The library headphone restriction in particular has caused much outrage within the student body. The restriction of headphones prevents students from listening to music in the library, which students often find helps them concentrate on their work.

 

Nick Turgiss (‘15) remarks, “Everyone should have the right to do what they need to do to help them study, and in some cases it’s listening to music. By restricting headphones, it’s taking that privilege away.”

 

Kesha Porter (‘15) agrees. “It makes many students feel like they have nowhere to go to get their work done.” A majority of the students find the library much louder and more distracting than in the past years when headphones were allowed.

 

“People are getting in more trouble for talking in the library this year,” Rebecca DeCarvalho (‘15) points out. “We should be allowed to use our headphones.”

 

“I understand that some students listen to music to help them concentrate,” Mrs Schoenherr sympathizes, “but there are many other options than just the library if those students truly need to listen to music.” The Student Commons and dining room are examples of other options.

 

“The policy is clearer than last year,” Andrew Jeon (‘16) acknowledges. “But now, in the library, it’s more easy to get distracted by the people around you when you don’t have music to block out the surroundings.”  Last year, Andrew used to frequently go to the library during his study halls in order to finish his work.  “Now, I am much more productive in the commons than I am in the library because I can listen to music there,” he adds. “But [the commons] can be just as distracting, if not more.”

 

While the commons may not seem like an ideal place to work, according to Mr Stevens, there have been talks of “refurbish[ing] the students commons to make it more like a coffee house. By making the commons a more comfortable and inviting space, [LCA] hopes to make that area a place for students to listen to music freely, socialize, or finish their work with the liberty of using their headphones.” So far, these renovation plans have not been finalized.

 

However, these alternative options are only available to students who are on privileges -- privileges are granted to students who have all B's or higher on their latest report card. Those who are not on privileges must attend a monitored study hall during their free blocks and cannot use headphones unless their study hall proctor allows it.

 

“We want those who are not on privileges to use their study halls to concentrate only on academics. And eventually if [students] get on privileges they can use their devices in the hallway or student commons,” Mr. Stevens says. “LCA is a college preparatory institute and we want to prepare students to be self-discipline in their academics.”

 

One student who is not on privileges disagrees. “[The policy] sucks,” the student, who wishes to remain anonymous, complains. “Music helps me concentrate on my work, by not allowing headphones to be used during my study halls it is more difficult to focus.” He also adds, “Last year, most of the students who were actually wearing headphones in the library were using them to listen to music and get work done.”

 

Alex Minasian (‘16) also describes the study halls as “impossible to get work done” because of the headphone restriction.

 

“Unfortunately, our society, not just LCA, has become too reliant on technology,” Mr. Stevens muses. “People in our culture are constantly on their phones instead of talking to people right next to them. We should learn to separate ourselves from [technology], and the policy encourages this.”  

 

But technology should not be considered negative if it is used effectively and in moderations. It is true that technology has become very much apart of our lives, more so than the generations before us. However, as technology changes so does our culture. While there may be some negative aspects of using technology, listening to music in the library is not one of them.

 

Listening to music aids in concentration and improves students’ productivity. Instead of restricting headphones and music from the library, LCA should encourage it. If the issue lies in the misuse of iPods, mp3 players, and cell phones then perhaps the policy should focus on those specific devices rather than the restriction of headphones.

 

Shouldn’t students be given a chance to prove the benefits of technology?