By: Brandi Seawood
Earbud and headphone usage is becoming a more controversial topic at Atlanta Adventist Academy ever since principal Matt Jones sent out a school-wide email stating the updated headphone rule.
"Remember that headphones aren't allowed at school. Headphones will be confiscated if seen," said Jones by email correspondence. "This includes before and after school. And also includes the hallways. Written permission must be obtained for use during class."
Some think it's a good idea, while others disagree.
Sophomore Sergio Dan said he uses earbuds a lot, and using them during class does affect how students learn.
"...some listen to music or watch videos, and they miss out on their teacher's instruction. This leads to failing grades," said Sergio through email correspondence.
Facilitator Kathy Talton agrees.
"Headphones should be allowed in the classroom only if it's pertaining to subject matters in class such as english, science, math etc. For the sole purpose of obtaining knowledge. With the teacher's permission, of course," said Talton through email correspondence.
It appears as though students and facilitators realize that headphones are a distraction in the classroom and to a student's learning experience. The real conflict comes from the second part of the rule, which states that headphones aren't allowed before and after school.
Kathy Talton still agrees thoroughly with the headphone rule.
"...have you ever heard the saying, the good suffer with the bad? No, headphones shouldn't be allowed before or after class. Simply because students will and have tried to hide the headphones and bring them into their classes and attempt to use them during class time...this doesn't apply to all students, but many have disobeyed the rules," said Talton, through email correspondence.
But students seem to have a different opinion.
"...whether students listen to music or watch a video before or after class, it doesn't distract them from the teacher, since instructions haven't begun yet," said Dan.
Sophomore Shannon Lewis rides the bus to and from school daily. Lewis says that listening to music on the bus helps her to relax before a long day.
While the majority of students disagree with the headphone rule, however, it was only enforced because of their own disobedience. There is an appropriate time for headphone usage, such as during bus rides, and appropriate times for them to be put away-- during school classes. Maybe if students stop taking advantage of the rules they wouldn't have to be as strict.
During journalism class, senior Morgan Parker uses her headphones to listen to an interview she did for a news story on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)
This portrait shows sophomore Halle Montrose wearing earphones on Friday, December 5, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)
This portrait shows freshman Breanna McIntosh wearing earphones on Friday, December 5, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)
