Headphone Rules Explained: An Interview with Mr. Pinto
A recent message over the loud speaker had sparked conversation in the halls of Cliffside Park High School. The message addressed the current headphone situation and the issues it has been causing throughout the High School. Over and over in emails, loudspeaker messages, and in person, every student in Cliffside Park has been told to "take off their headphones". Knowing that there was a lot of confusion and frustration over the policy, I decided to have an email interview with Pinto to answer the general questions that many students had about the headphone policy.
What is the biggest concern that you and other teachers have with the use of headphones in school?
Is it due to a distraction among students in class?
Is it due to students not listening to any important announcements on the speaker?
Is it due to a lack of socialization?
Is it due to the continuous amount of complaints about headphones being stolen or lost?
All of the above are factors in the decision-making process, but If I had to identify the greatest concern, I would suggest distraction and student safety would be at the top of the list. I have routinely seen students ignore calls from staff because they were listening to music. This creates an extremely dangerous environment if there is an emergency and students are unaware of what is happening around them.
Have any teachers had complaints about headphone use in classes? If so, what were their complaints in relation to headphones?
Staff is in agreement that headphones are not academically appropriate while instruction is taking place. They are not an accessory. They are designed to emit sound waves and the sound waves emitted distract from the classroom objective. Unfortunately, instructors can not identify whether or not students are listening to music or wearing headphones for some other reason. When students are wearing headphones in a lesson, the instructor should correct the behavior. When instructors are consistent in their expectations students are less prone to push the limits.
Do you think that after you started collecting the headphones, this solved any of the problems that you have mentioned?
I do notice a decrease in the number of students wearing headphones in the halls in the days immediately after a collection takes place.
Would you say that ever since the creation of apple Airpods, the problems have become more prominent?
No. Since the development of Apple iPhones it has become a problem. It is a status symbol. It began with white headphones signifying apple products. Samsung then switched from black to white headphones. Beats were also popular for a while. For many students, they are simply status symbols or accessories.
Do you think that there are other ways to deal with this issue rather than ban them and take them away?
Headphones are not banned. Students are permitted to use them in the cafeteria and outside the building. Unfortunately, students choose to wear them in the hallways and classrooms.
In a study from Stanford University, researchers found that “music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating the event in memory”. What are your opinions on this?
I’m in agreement. Art instructors have traditionally played music while students paint and PE classes play music when students work out. Business classes used to play music during typing instruction. However, I do question the benefit of wearing headphones and listening to music when engaging in dialogue or actively listening to instructors or peers. I am interested to know what context the research is referring too.
Does the administration allow students who have stress and anxiety to use headphones as music has been proven to lessen both stress and anxiety?
If it is written in a 504 or IEP. As stated earlier, students can wear headphones during lunch. Some students with disabilities need noise cancelling headphones and have it written into their IEP. Additionally, some flexibility is provided to Foreign Language instructors where headphones might be necessary for auditory learning.