Public school systems statewide are banning cell phones amid Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order that established cell phone-free education.

Although Virginia’s ban does not apply to college campuses, some professors at Washington and Lee have similar phone policies in their classrooms.

Some say smartphones are a distraction from class material.

“I have yet to learn of a way that phone usage in my classes can aid students in realizing the courses’ desired outcomes,” said Caleb Dance, an associate professor of classics.

Although most professors said that their phone policies are effective, some students “need to be reminded a lot” to put their phone away, said Jane Harrington, a visiting assistant professor of English. However, she also said some students enjoy not having to worry about their phones during class.

Some instructors attempt to make their courses as interactive as possible to prevent phone usage.

“I try to keep the pace of instruction up so there isn’t enough time for phone use,” said Chris Dobbins, an associate professor of music.

Additionally, Emily King, a visiting professor of writing and English, said she “offers activities that require students to write by hand or study materials in different ways” that lessen the use of technology in class. She hopes to create a learning environment where students are not tempted by their phones.

However, some professors, such as Harrington and Dance, said phones serve not only as a distraction to students but to instructors as well.

“Everyone suffers with these issues of distraction and we should put our phones away more and engage in the real world,” said Harrington.

To prevent being distracted by his cell phone, Dance said that he “silences notifications on my own phone and tuck it away” when he’s teaching or meeting with a student so that he can give them his full attention.

Even though Dance does not allow cell phones in the classroom, he makes exceptions for personal emergencies and disabilities. While most professors have exceptions to technology policies for disabilities,  King said that could potentially “out” students with invisible disabilities if only they have technology in class. For this reason, she allows general use of laptops and tablets in her courses for note taking. Harrington said her classes follow the same policy.

However, they said that they worry that students are distracted by their laptops and tablets, too.

“[Tablets and smart watches] are great tools, but unless we have silenced notifications, all of the alerts can easily cause distraction, even when we’re trying our best to focus on the task at hand,” said Dance.

Harrington said she allows tablets and computers because the pros outweigh the cons.

“There’s not much that can be done about a lack of engagement in general, but most people are engaged and like being at college,” Harrington said.