Just a few short years ago, electronic devices were shunned in the classroom.

In my high school days of the 1990s, the school handbook banned any kind of electronic device from the classroom. It didn’t matter whether it was a Walkman, a page or a remote control, which a classmate of mine used to mess with the teacher by turning the TV on and off during class. (By the way, that person’s punishment was more than just having his remote taken away from him.)

However, in the last five years, I have seen schools make a significant transition from banning technology to embracing it.

Granted, it would be almost impossible to prevent students from bringing phones to school. Many parents depend on their children having those cell phones and smartphones to communicate with them before, after and sometimes during school in emergency situations.

Instead of trying to prevent it from being in the classroom, schools are trying to maximize the educational experience by using the electronic devices.

That was what was on display last week during Hartselle City Schools’ Tech Night at Hartselle High School.

School Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson and teachers want the students to bring their devices to school. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet or any other web-enabled device. They want them to bring them to school.

Many of the teachers are using Internet-based software to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. They can give tests, problems or assignments that they can do on their electronic devices.

For instance, the class could watch a video in class. The teacher hopes that the students will pick up on what is being said during the film, but as we all know, it’s impossible to retain it all in one viewing.

By watching the videos on the Internet, the student can watch the video again at home or rewind the video to make sure that he or she understands the information in the film.

Students can also work on assignments at their own pace, allowing some students to go further in the work while others can take it slower so they can understand it better.

Also, it helps students who have to miss school, whether for illness or other reasons. They won’t fall behind as much because they can keep up with what’s going on using their devices.

I applaud the teachers and administrators for implementing the “bring your own device” policy at Hartselle City Schools.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.