Dear colleagues,
Wow, did I open a can of worms with this issue! I got a lot of
responses, and hope I sent a reply to everybody and thanks so much if I
didn't reply to you directly. I will use this information when I talk to
my faculty and administrators, as this organization comprises the brain
trust of our educational system, in my opinion. I am sympathetic to the
arguments against MP3s, and feel I have legitimate responses to those
arguments, but it helps that those arguments were verbalized so well. My
feeling is that an overly restrictive environment does a serious
disservice to our students who will then get to college or work and not
know how to handle the freedom they are given as young adults. Students
focus well when listening to music and tend not to have so many
distracting conversations when their earbuds are in. I am dismayed when
a kid in the library, who is working quietly, gets punished for having
earphones (not by me, but by passing administrators). Unfortunately, my
library has glass walls and is prominently located in the school.
Therefore I can't really create my own rules and hope no one notices.
So--I am going to request that the library be an "MP3 safe" environment.
Safety is not an issue, as our fire alarm is accompanied by flashing
lights. And I plan to announce to the students that if I can hear their
music, it's too loud and they need to turn it down. And if they abuse
this privilege I have fought for them, it will be taken away.
Here are the responses:
*I'm in a HS with a policy just like yours- everything is banned.
Since we are just getting into audiobooks and playaways in a big way
this year, I went to my principal and explained how teachers would be
using these in the classroom for their assigned novels and students
could be using them in the library and he was fine with our exceptions
to the rule.
If you have audiobook CDs and especially playaways with the earbuds,
that would be a great way to demonstrate the technology to your
principal/policy enforcer, while emphasizing that this is a "book".
They can get confused if all you have is a verbal description.
The teachers love them! And like Jeff said in his posting, I tend to
ignore earbuds in the library. And every time I've asked a student to
turn it down, they are very polite and quick to comply, knowing that I
could confiscate their equipment if I chose.
*I do allow them--last year the admins did not, but it seems to be a
dead
issue now. I can't tell whether they are doing their French homework or
listening to heavy metal, so . . . If I can hear it as I walk by I tap
them
on the shoulder and have them turn it down.
*What a great opportunity to promote podcasts, e and audio books,
lessons for ESOL. Promote it that way.
*Our school doesn't allow MP3 players in the building; however, I have
signs that the students can display on their table if they have
permission from me to use their MP# player. It says, "MP3's for
educational use." This way, if an administrator comes into the library,
they know that I know the student is using an MP3 player. I did have to
get permission from my building administrator, but it was worth it. I
don't check to make sure that they are listening to a book or a foreign
language resource. The language teachers do send them down to listen to
foreign language material.
*The students can't because of administrative decisions, but for me
personally many students can concentrate better with ipods. I find the
library used to be quieter when the students could use their ipods and
I
think they were better able to concentrate.
*As long as the use of the ipod/mp3 is not a distraction to others, I
allow the use of these devices. I've recently taught our 9th graders how
to download audio books from the public library using their public
library card. They then can upload them to their mp3 player. So I don't
see why they can't listen to the book after I've taught them how to
download it. The only time it has been trouble is when 2 kids want to
sit next to each other and one has one ear bud and the other has the
other ear bud and they are listening together. That is distracting
because they are invariably talking about which songs they like/don't
like and argue over which one to play next! These are the younger kids
(7th/8th graders). I've not had much trouble with HS students. My
principal seems fine with this set up.
Post a hit if you can. I'd be interested in other comments.
*I believe the kids should be allowed to both listen to
music and play games while in the library. I do allow them to access
games
during lunch. But, my biggest challenge is coming from my IT director,
who
believes it's pulling too much bandwidth.
Maybe I should concede on the games, and try to move forward on the
music
(with earbuds, of course). Hmm ...
*We also have a blanket ban but several teachers allow the use by
students "once your work is done" and no one is objecting too much. The
dividing line seems to be age, sadly, although not 100%.
I am exploring the possibilities of playaways or other such devices and
how can any teacher or administrator argue with students listening to a
book? And if they are working on their homework, project, or whatever,
why shouldn't they listen to their own music (provided the volume is
allowing only them to listen to it)? The fight/discussion hasn't come
up here yet (and it will if I provide them - we have to revisit the
blanket ban) but probably next year it will and I am interested in what
your results are, if you would please share.
My vote is allow them and use your judgment about when to say when.
Good luck.
*I fight this battle all the time but I'm afraid it's against rather
than for. My prime reason: safety. When students have their music
devices with ear plugs in, I literally have to touch the student to get
their attention. I am uncomfortable with this and in a safety situation
such as an announcement over the PA system, I fear that they will not
hear it.
*I'm wondering the same thing as you - our district does not allow them
in school but I would be inclined to allow them in the library. I
always listened to music while studying when I was in high school (at
home, of course). I'll be anxious to see what others are thinking and
doing.
*I'm with you! The students seem more productive, less distractable,
when they are plugged into their tunes.
It is against the rules, however, so I could be called on the carpet
for ignoring the practice. I was told, if there was a fire or emergency,
everyone has to be alert.
*Students have plenty of time to listen to their iPods & MP3 players
outside of school. Our policy doesn't allow electronic games, iPods, MP3
players on campus; the school would turn into an arcade otherwise. It's
hard enough to keep students off of the games in the library so others
can use it for the catalog or research. Teachers allow games on the
computers in class, so they're not deprived of games on our campus.
And have you heard some of the songs they're playing? I know I sound
like an old dud. But I still cringe at the profanity and crude sexual
lyrics I hear blasting in the cars, so I believe we're doing them a
favor by not letting them hear that more hours in a day.
*Sorry, can't help you. Our county has a written policy stating that
students are not to have ANY electronic devices at school. Aside from
the obvious reasons regarding opportunities for cheating, one reason is
to guard against the school being held responsible for thefts (students
NEVER lose things! Someone always steals them from a bookbag or
locker.)
Students who participate in after-school sports can bring a cell phone
and leave it in the office as soon as they arrive at school. Phones are
picked up at the end of the day.
*Ipods are permitted in my library. I haven’t had any problems. My
students know that if I can hear their music from outside their earbuds,
then the music is too loud. They’ve been pretty good about turning
them down at my request. However, it does sometimes come with a couple
of minor annoyances: 1) trying to get their attention, and 2) sometimes
they like to share their music and that breeds conversation. For the
most part, the experience has been positive and the kids appreciate it.
*You didn't mention what grade levels you were working with. I'm in a
high school with 9 - 12. We allow them in the library - earbuds firmly
in place! Many kids will also plug their headsets into the computers
themselves, as we do have the speakers disconnected in the computers.
Our district policy is that no electronic devices are allowed in the
classroom due to their interference with instruction. However, teachers
are no longer allowed to take them from students due to a number of run
ins with angry parents. So, the reality is that you will find electronic
devices all over campus, in every possible setting. Most teachers
instruct students to turn off and put away all electronic devices during
class time. My personal feeling as the librarian is the same one I had
when I was in the classroom - if the ear buds are not plugging your ears
while I am talking, and the sound level when I'm not talking cannot be
heard outside your body, I'm okay with it. At the high school level,
students are either in the library with a class for an assignment and
being supervised by that teacher with their set of classroom rules, or
the student is there to work independently and what difference would it
make if they were listening to their music while they did it. For all
you know, some of them may actually be listening to a lesson - haha!
*I work in a community college library. We allow the students to
listen to Ipods (earbuds, of course). We very rarely have anyone who's
listening too loud.
I would firmly support allowing students to use their Ipods/earbuds in
the hs library during their free periods. Why? Largely because it
would make the library an inviting place. An inviting library is a used
library!! Students who come in to listen to their music, might stay to
hang in your comfy furniture and browse magazines, books, or possibly
check out audio books.
*I vote NO...Playaways are the only thing allowed at school and in our
libraries in Madera USD.
all other electronics are banned during school time EVERYWHERE AND I AM
ALL FOR IT 100%!
*We allow it, even though they are not allowed in school in general. We
have Playaways and so have expanded to Ipods. Some of our teachers allow
use in their classrooms as well.
*I allow Ipods in the library, although the school has a policy of no
ipods anywhere else. I also purchased headphones for those who want to
listen to youtube, music etc too.
I find having this extension quite a help in a variety of ways.
There was the noise control that I had to engage in prior to my
decision; I repeatedly had to ask kids to turn down/off their audio
selections. There was also the kid to kid foolishness that happened
when kids were supposed to be working on academic work, but in reality
used the library for an escape from work and now they either have their
ipods or ask for headphones and they quietly do whatever...
This has made the rest of the library functionally more productive for
other students and classes who choose to work in the library.
It has also freed me up to do other projects rather than constantly
interacting with those students who are few in number, but loud in
antics.
I also find that my relationships with kids is a bit easier as I am not
always the bad guy enforcing another rule that doesn't make much sense
at times.
*My inclination would be to follow the overarching rules of the
school.
If students see the library as "school rules don't apply," you could
create more problems then its worth. Also, I would be worried about
people getting passes to the library just to listen to music or watch
teeny movies on their ipods. There are too many distractions in
school
during the day and students are often already making very poor use of
their time. When they get to college, let them formulate their own
study behaviors. They will have more self discipline by then.
*I think I’m caught in the middle of this debate. My school
doesn’t allow electronic devices during the school day either
(iPods, cell phones, etc…) but I’m a bit more lenient before/after
school in the media center, depending on the student and the situation.
On the one hand, there are students who can truly study/concentrate
better when listening to music, and I feel that they should be allowed
to make the most of their study hall time in that manner if it suits
them. On the other hand, what is allowed for one student must be
allowed for all, and I know that some students would just sit and listen
to music for an entire class period rather than do anything productive.
Plus, how do we know what they’re listening to is school-appropriate?
Do we, the schools, buy MP3 players and pre-load them with appropriate
music? It’s a toss-up! Help those who need it, or cause a bigger
problem?
*Here's my personal experience. My daughter took her mp3 player to
school,
and swears she only listened to it between classes, and when she was
allowed. Apparently, our high school doesn't have a policy on them.
As
class was ending one day, her friend asked if she could listen to one
song
while they changed classes. My daughter agreed, and would get her mp3
player back at the end of the next class. Well, the girl got called
out of
class early, went home, packed up, and moved that weekend! No my
daughter's
mp3 player is gone.... I'm going to help her buy another one, but it
will
not be allowed in school. It's not necessary, nor is it appropriate.
*Our school and we allow them as long as instruction isn't taking place
and as long as we can't hear the music. I have never seen anything wrong
with allowing them to listen to their music while working. I allowed
them in my classroom in a previous school, and they were more
productive. Yes, I know they can cheat with these by somehow loading
test notes onto it, but I don't see the harm in listening to the music
while working or reading in the library. They get so few privileges
anyway, and it's not worth fighting a battle over. Again, as long as
we're not instructing, they're allowed.
*They are permitted in our high school. One very good point to argue
for
the use of is the fact that the Gale online databases added a toolbar
where you can download an article to an MP3 player and listen to it at
your convenience. Certainly would save on paper!
*I allow my 7th and 8th graders to use Ipods and MP3 players in my
computer lab. Before they are allowed to use them they have to why this
technology is important to them and how they can use it wisely and
responsibly in the the computer lab. This is done in a short written
paragraph to me. This way the student and I both are in agreement of
how the devices should be used. It has made for a much less noisy
computer lab.
*If they are not allowed in school, I certainly would not buck the
system. IMHO, that's asking for trouble.
*They are not allowed at my school, which is not to say that some
teachers don't allow them. I do not allow the in the library for
several reasons. The first is that I don't believe it's right to allow
students to break school rules. It makes it more difficult to enforce
other rules when students see that there is a disregard for some rules.
Another reason I don't allow them is that even with ear buds in place,
I've been able to hear music coming from them half way across the
library. When I approach the student, I practically have to yell to get
their attention, and then, they yell back because they think they're
talking in a low voice. A final reason is that there are some really
questionable lyrics in many of the rap songs that students listen to,
and although I don't like them, I don't want to censor someone else's
music. Still, I don't want to deal with the attitude and consequences
of students' listening to anti-women, anti-gay, pro-violence that can
result.
*We allow them in the library under certain conditions. E.g. If the
student has an Honor Pass (which means they are consistently in
compliance with school policies and classroom expectations)they may use
one. Before school and after school we have no restrictions on anyone.
*Actually I put this question out on the list a while ago. I got a
mixed response. Some people thought it was OK, while others thought the
admin. was doing us a favor by banning them school-wide.
I haven't pursued this any further with the principal; mostly because I
sympathize with his dilemma; a rule is a rule and once he begins making
exceptions, then more problems are generated. We're sticking to
Play-aways in here for now. I hope the pressure will come from other
faculty as they begin using podcasts. etc.
*As one of the instructors on our schools Academic Integrity
committee--let me caution you that kids can do A LOT MORE w/ an iPod
than you expect, esp w/ the new ones w/ wi-fi capability.
Basically, they're a hand-held "cheating machine." Kids can download
entire pages of text, formulae, or foreign-language audio. (That's one
of our more infamous cheating catches.)
We had so many issues, I'm not sure I'd welcome them back. Aren't
there better things to do in the library? If kids need music, turn on
the stereo.
*We do allow them, but I am in favor of changing that. Number one, we
have no idea what they are listening too. Number two, now we run into
the problem that people's phones are also their MP# players & those
students want to have their phones out. I've also had kids watching
downloaded TV programs & movies on the them that aren't appropriate, and
also playing games. Third, students are using the wireless network in
the library to access their facebook pages, email, itunes, etc. It
turns into a big policing issue.
*You might want to argue that audiobooks are now available in those
formats.
I have not included any of the responses that were posted to the whole
list, but there were quite a few. I'll keep you posted as to the
progress and result of this issue!
Thanks again for a great discussion.
Kathy Starks, Library Media Specialist
Owego Free Academy
Owego, NY
(607) 687-6714
starksk@oacsd.org
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