Every student at St. Louis High School has listened to music, and many listen to music in class, but is that the right time to do so? While many students will listen to his or her favorite song while doing assignments, others plug in the tunes whenever they please. Some teachers don’t seem to mind, others have issues with it. However, how big of an issue has it become at SLHS?
Students listen to music in class for many reasons. For some, it can be to focus on their assignments and drown out other distractions, yet teachers can find them disruptive and sometimes feel as though it is rude to have headphones in during a lesson. The emotions and feelings on the matter vary from teacher to teacher.
“Generally, I don’t like them, but if the student is working independently, then I don’t really mind. Most of the time I don’t really notice it, but if a student seems distracted and I notice they have them then I might talk to them about it,” stated Mr. Nehmer.
Numerous teachers have come to the agreement that it is no issue when students use them after the lecture and when doing their work, but the issue begins when students make an attempt to use them while the teacher is still teaching the class.
Mrs. Godwin said, “There are a few students that it is a problem for, but I would say a majority of them only use them during work time, which I’m okay with because it helps them focus. In general, I think students wear them a lot (in the halls, at sporting events, etc.), which seems like odd times to be trying to listen to music, but in my class, I make sure they aren’t using them during notes or instructions and especially not while we are performing labs. Overall, I think headphones can help students focus, but it comes down to using them appropriately and at the best times where they won’t be a distraction.”
When it comes to having earbuds in class, all students should be respectful in using them, making sure he or she is using the devices during the right times and not during lessons. While they are used for good reason they can also be distracting and lower students’ attention to the lesson. It’s important to recognize when is the right and wrong time to indulge in some new tunes and show teachers they’re doing a good job and for students to remain on task.
