Cellphones in classrooms

Cell phones in the 90’s was a new adventure, when I first saw someone making use of a cell phone, I was mystified, now I wonder what I did without it because it now feels like a necessity! The topic of “cell phones being banned” has become a very controversial issue in schools but it is not a clear resolve as some may think; instead a consistent thoughtful decision should be reached by teachers. I believe that the world is changing, technology is growing, we need to recognize the change and decide the place it should play in a student’s school day. Cell phones are a part of technology and it will be my job as a teacher to decide how the grey area of cell phones can work best in MY classroom.

In the article, Should cell phones be banned from classrooms?” In my opinion Josh was very closed-minded. He felt like that a student having a cell phone is a way for a parent to spoil a child, spoiling a student with technology is an option but it is our responsibility as teachers to provide opportunities, which demonstrates to the student that cell phones can be an educational tool. Liz sounded a little more realistic, she urged us not to be naïve but to be consistent by setting guidelines, when she said: “Teachers who are concerned that cell phones will be distracting inside the classroom can set up a social contract with their students defining the structure and rules around cell phone use in the classroom. For example, the teacher can collect the cell phones at the beginning of class and return them to the students when it is time in class to use them.” There were some valid thoughts on this issue and these thoughts have allowed me time to ponder and think about my reaction to cell phones in the classroom. I know I will consider cell phones to be an opportunity in my classroom but like all opportunities, whether it is a projector, overhead, computers, record player or today’s cell phone there must be guidelines so that it is an asset to learning not a detriment.

It's a fascinating, intriguing and exciting question: should we allow cell phones in the classroom for educational purposes? Many teachers at the present moment do not want students using phones in the classroom because they don't want students’ texting each other, which they think could be distracting to the learning happening in the classroom. Allow me the opportunity to respond to the above teachers; and that would be; cell phones would be a plus in the classroom and could be economically more feasible. Imagine a world, where cell phones took over the role that computers play in the classroom, would it not be cheaper because a great many students already own one and those that do not perhaps a Grant could be written for these students to purchase cell phones. The fact that students already know how to use cell phones would add to the benefits but we as educators should never lose sight that this new use needs to be constantly monitored, so that abuse of this new tool is not occurring. Some experts predict that between 10 and 15 million wireless phones could be sold as a result of this push in the school system. How do you feel? Would you support this initiative for your students, will it aid our students learning or will it hinder?