Lakes Grammar device ban: Results show change in student behaviour

Lakes Grammar made the bold move to ban devices during school hours in May and one term on the results are in. You’ll be surprised at the ways the kids have changed.

Lakes Grammar student’s Jackson Blackshaw, Casey Young, Alex Voigt with teaching and learning director Michelle Smith. Picture: Sue Graham

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“You can’t have minds for learning if your minds are with Fortnite in the playground. We just can’t compete with that.”

With this thought in mind, Lakes Grammar became one of the first schools to ban devices during school hours in May.

The rule has been in place at the Warnervale Anglican school for one full term, and teaching and learning director Michelle Smith said the results had been amazingly positive.

“The oval is now packed,” she said.

“Board games are coming out, cards are out and they are all interacting. We’re even seeing them play hopscotch and the old favourite duck duck goose. It’s really interesting what they have come up with.

“Previously they were lined up playing video games and now they are all gone.”

Students are more interactive in the playground since the ban. Picture: Sue Graham

Ms Smith was the driving force behind the move to ban devices from Years 7 to 10.

“We made the decision because we were concerned about students playing Nintendo, video games such as Fortnite and using I-pads and phones in the playground,” she said.

“It’s the impacts of social media and engaging with devices rather than each other.

“So we bit the bullet and did it, just before the wave of other schools doing it.”

During the first week of the new rule, teachers were catching students with 30 to 35 devices a day.

“Now the staff feedback is that they don’t see any devices out,” Ms Smith said.

“We have got great kids here, we explained it to them and also had so much parental support.

“It’s about teaching the students to self regulate and monitor.”

Lakes Grammar banned mobile devices in Years 7-10

Mrs Smith said the staff had done a lot of research around the issue of devices and the impacts on student engagement and learning.

“If it’s there and they can see it, they think they have to react immediately,” she said.

“Studies have compared it to a baby crying or hearing sirens. It’s an immediate reaction.”

She said while initial feedback had been around interaction and visual data, it will be interesting to see if the move impacts academic benefits.

“It’s also been a flow of effect for our seniors,” she said.

“They don’t have the same rule but we have seen them putting devices away as well. Their response has been proactive and mature.

“Now they are no longer worried about phones buzzing and messaging between classes.”

Principal Michael Hannah said students used mobile devices in class and at home.

“We feel that while they are in the playground they are better off being active or talking with each other,” he said.

“Even if they wouldn’t recognise it themselves, they need to have a break from their devices. “We also believe that this will enhance the learning culture at our school.”