Cell Phones in the Classroom - Sam

Cell Phones in the Classroom

            Cell phones can  be a very handy tool to use in a number of situations, but if someone were to ask parents, teachers, and even some students if phones should be used in the classroom the answer you would probably get is no. Cell phones can be a huge distraction. It is also disrespectful to the teacher, not to mention the question of how much information are children really retaining with a disturbance of sort at their fingertips. (Kang). Although cell phones may be an issue, there is good that can come out of them. I think that cell phones should be allowed in the classroom as educational devices if rules or boundaries are met.

            The results of a study done by Pew Internet & American Life Project showed that “six out of ten children older than nine owned a cell phone.” (Kang). With numbers like this you are most likely to have classes were all but a few students have the same opportunities as others, so why not utilize the resources we have come to know. Phones range with possible capabilities. Newer phones are equipped with app access for dictionaries, photo editing and high tech calculators; you name it you can probably find an app for it. While older phones still are able to perform similar actions, what happens during a class where a student doesn’t have a phone at all? The simple answer would be to say “buy a phone”, but not all families can do that. In this case those selected students could be put into groups where their role as a member would be equally important. (Rogers).

I think when teachers are more open minded about cell phone use in the classroom students would be more respectful, due to the fact that they do not have to sneak the device. In consideration though telling students they can use their phones would lead to having individuals off course and not doing their work. What happens then? Schools and teachers who decide to have cell phone interaction should have some sort of agreement to follow. Teaching students’ acceptable use early would help eliminate future problems, but in cases where texting, facebooking, and total off track actions are being done the instructor should have every right to remove the device from the situation. To introduce the rules, sending home an agreement form where both the parent and student must sign saying they acknowledge any consequences would be an option. (Rogers). Teachers though must adhere to the rules or else the agreement will be overlooked by the students.

“The use of cell phones can be used in three major ways: 1. Audience response system, 2. Research tool, and 3. a way to collect evidence.” (Engel). Personally I believe that all three of these suggestions are fabulous! I tend to think I learn better by having some sort of hands on experience. Not only am I gaining the “trust” of my teacher and personal responsibility, I’m using my own resources. It’s great that society has reached a point where this type of interaction but not all students have the same mind set as I do, and giving them the range to work with their phones opens a lot of doors to students not working at all. Unless a teacher is standing there monitoring every action you take, text messaging, updating a status, posting a picture or even repining an image is going to happen.

In conclusion, “usage policies need to be clear including the consequences of any misuse. Students need to be instructed so they know what is being expected of them, as well as issues that could pop up such as cyber bullying.” (Engel). Parents should also play a part. As a parent they should have the duty of reminding their child of their new responsibility.

     Works Cited

Engel, George, and Tim Green. “Cell Phones in the Classroom: Are We Dialing up Disaster?.”                                     Tech Trends. March 2011: 39-45. SIRS Issues Researcher: Web. 03 Oct 2012.

Kang, Cecilia. “Two Schools of Thought: High-Tech vs. No-Tech.” Washington Post. 13 May 2012: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Oct 2012.

                                                                                                                                    

Rogers, Kipp D. “Cell Phones As Instructional Tools.” Principal Leadership. Feb 2009: 65-67.

               SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Oct 2012.