Lecture 8 + Reading questions

Question 1

Draw the policy cycle.

Answer 1

1) Problem definition / Agenda setting
2) Constructing the policy
3) Choice of solution
4) Policy design
5) Policy implementation and monitoring
6) Evaluation

Question 2

How does the (1) agenda setting theory apply to the policy of banning phones on schools?

Answer 2

Motion to call on the cabinet to discuss if a national ban of phones would be helpful

Question 3

For the (2) step in the policy cycle, what are arguments pro ban & against ban?

Answer 3

Pro ban:
Declining learning performance, declining motivation

Against ban:
Banning phones would violate educational freedom, teachers can’t learn media literacy

Question 4

How does the (3) step of the policy cycle apply to banning phones?

Answer 4

1) Considerations presented to the minister
2) Recommend course of action and the rational behind them
3) The importance of aligning decisions with broader educational policy

Question 5

How does step (4) of the policy cycle apply to the banning of phones?

Answer 5

Get everybody on board, and give importance of compromise and consensus-building

Question 6

How does step (5) of the policy cycle apply to the banning of phones?

Answer 6

This step is about implementation, so informing and supporting schools about the policy.

Question 7

Amez & Baert - 2020- “Smartphone use and academic performance A literature review”

What theoretical mechanisms could explain an association between smartphone use and academic performance?

Answer 7

Smartphones provide a multi-media platform to facilitate learning. Social networking sites and communication applications may contribute to the quick sharing of information. Faster communication between students and faculty staff may contribute to more efficient studying.

Question 8

Kessel et al - 2020-“The impact of banning mobile phones in Swedish secondary schools”

Kessel et al. replicate a study done by Beland and Murphy (2016) that suggests a ban of mobile phone use in schools improves student performance. Kessel et al on the contrary do not find an impact of a smartphone ban in Sweden on performance. What are the two reasons the authors give for coming to another conclusion than Beland & Murphy?

Answer 8

(1) They study a different country and school system as well as a somewhat different period. (2) B&M focuses more on unstructured use, while the authors focus more on structured use because that is what’s currently used in Sweden.