I have posted on this topic before, but wanted to again, as I just read about another school incorporating cell phones into the learning process. The original story was posted in a St. Petersburg newspaper and then picked up by Teacher Magazine. The students in the school have been using the phones for science, literature, and other classes: "Florida School Allows Cell Phones in Classrooms." In addition to the use of the phones in these classes, mention is made of using them to assist English-as-second-language learners. This is not the first school where cell phones are augmenting the learning process, and given the proliferation of cell phones, their use might be an economical way for schools to integrate computer technology. 
Check the article, and let us know what you think.In addition, here is a link to a recent article from The New York Times addressing the controversy of cell phones: "Industry Pitching Cell Phones as a Teaching Tool." My two earlier blogs on cell phones in schools can be accessed by using the Search feature at the top of the page and typing in cell phones. Also, note the label (see right column) for cell phones. In addition, you might want to check the blog on clickers, using the search feature.
image 1 from: www.twentyfortech.com/?p=88
image 2: Dusty Oliver, caption from photo, "A teacher at Southwest High School in Jacksonville, N.C., said the special cellphones helped students improve their math skills." http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/technology/16phone.html?_r=2
12 comments:
I am unsure why cell phones have become such a part of American society. I know that I cannot change this trend and wouldn’t if I could, but I have some concerns with cell phones in the school. First, using the camera and text function of the current generation of phones is a recipe for cheating. A mere minute after completing a test your students can send the test questions to all of their friends and beyond. Second, the unauthorized use of cell phones in the classroom could be called a pandemic. Students are more engaged in idle (meaningless) “talk” than in their own education. Next, cell phone use in the school has created new avenues for illicit/illegal activities. Students looking to conduct these activities can do so in a manner where their physical presence is no longer needed, creating a nearly impossible situation for teachers and administrators to control. Finally, I know that this technology may be cheaper for districts than the traditional computer lab, but it is very hard to walk-off with a desktop. I wonder if cell phones in the classroom is just one more way for the cell phone companies to “addict” our kids to their phones?
As cell phones do become essential to life in our culture, perhaps it is time to join in on the phenomenon. The technology is pervasive and the interdependence between it and us cannot be ignored. The school using the cellphones in class is fostering mature adult-like learning in while correspondingly teaching cell phone etiquette (and our collective culture certainly needs more of that!). Sure there are always children who will break the rules but who hasn't been in a class or presentation or workshop where an adult's phone has not gone off? Sometimes joining in and embracing the "enemy" is the way to harness the allure and energy that surrounds smartphones and channel it into something more productive than just texting.
I don't know about this. I have seen cell phones used for a class I took on the multiple intelligences where students were able to get information quickly to share with the group. However, I feel like cell phones can become too much of a distraction. I know if I was in a class and able to use my cell for class work I'd also be temped to play games or contact people. Bob also had a good point about students being able to use the phone to cheat on tests, answers in class, readings etc. I believe it is more harmful than helpful in the classroom. It is too difficult to monitor exactly what students are using it for.
I agree that cell phones can pose a major distraction for students and that they creating a breading ground for cheating, but I think that if we set ground rules cell phones can become vaulable learning tools. Cheating is going to go on no matter what you do, cell phones just give a new way to do it. I think that allowing cell phones in class when a specific learning activity is planned with them can only enhance a lesson with technology that kids like and are familiar with. I think that monderation and a set of strict guidelines are the key.
Normally, I would think that if anyone would support cell phones in a classroom, it would be me. I am a huge supporter of technology in the classroom. However, I think cell phones are pushing it. Yes students can go online, but they can do that on the computer. Having student use their phones in the classroom is just asking for problems. I think using cell phones at the graduate level is fine, since students should already know what is respectful and polite in the class. High school students and below are too young to understand the proper use of a cell phone in class. Kids would definately be texting more. One teacher said that it was the kid's loss if they were texting and not paying attention. But at that level, teachers are responsible for their students and their learning. They still need to be taught that cell phones have a place, and that is outside the classroom.
Another issue I have with using cell phones in the classroom is that not every student has a cell phone. Certain students would be left out of this experience. While I have a cell phone, I do not have internet on my cell phone. I feel it's an added expense that I just can't afford right now. Would I be left out of the lesson because I don't have internet?
I just think it's not needed in schools and teachers have plenty of other technological options.
I think the idea of smartphones in the classroom is a really cool idea, yet has a lot of kinks to work out. From subbing in a few districts, I have found that it is more common for students to have cell phones than computers at home. I do agree with Jen though, that unless the school is paying for things such as the internet, I would not be able to afford it. As she said, the internet is just an added expense I don't need right now. Imagine having a large family where every child not only needs a cell phone, but internet and texting on the cell phone. Believe it or not, I still have friends that don't have texting on their plan because like internet, it is another added expense. I would totally support this if there was some way the schools could pay for it, rather than parents or students. I think it would be worth it, particularly with the reported 25% higher grades in just algebra from using the smartphones.
This is a brillant way in saving the valuable time teachers spend on cell phone patrol. Many teachers have gone to the extent of removing students from classroom instructions over cell phone disturbance. Who is this really hurting? The student who is being denied to learn over a beeping phone or a vibrating sound during class. To incorporate learning skills thru the use of cell phones will entice many students who "feel" they cannot live without their cell phones more engage in classroom discussions and instruction.
After reading the article about a school in Florida allowing students to use cell phones, I started thining about how cell phones are used in todays schools. I have not taught yet but in the classes that I have observed, I noticed that students frequently are hiding their phones and trying to text behind the teachers back Every teacher handles this matter in a different way, some ignore it, some address it immediatly, etc. I thought it was very insightful the way the school in Florida is handling this issue but I have a few concerns. One of these concerns is being that the article addressed a little was that students will take advantage of this privliage and it will get out of control for teachers to manage. My main issue with this article is if teachers are using cell phones as a tool in the classroom how wil they ensure that every student owns a working cell phone. If a student does not they might feel left out or embarassed in front of their classmates. This cell phone issue may be something else that divides students from one another.
I think that using cell phones as a learning tool is risky business. The phone could easily be used for text messaging, phone calls, or game playing at inappropriate times during the school day. Asking the teacher to monitor proper cell phone usage among students is a huge responsibility and a lot to ask of someone. I cannot even imagine the hours that would have to be spent on this task alone. Ideally, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity to use the cell phone as an incentive for good behavior and hard work, however I think that this privilege could easily be abused. I think that school districts should stick to computers as learning tools. Not to mention that the phones could be used for inappropriate, illegal activity among students, which could lead to law suits, suspensions, and expulsions. This is too big of a risk to take.
Maybe if the Smartphone had some type of program within it to monitor all student usage so that if inappropriate activity occurred the phone would shut down immediately and a red flag describing the activity would be sent to the teacher, I would be more apt to supporting the idea of Smartphones being used in the classroom. However, until this feature is added the phones should not be used as learning tools.
I am on the fence with regards to this issue. I do feel that it is important to bring the "real world" into the classroom, and lets face it, cell phones are a major part of every teenager's life. I think that we can incorporate cell phones into some aspects of the classroom. Whether it is through text messaging or internet access. It is important to send the message to students that we understand how important this technology is. We are never going to completely ban them from schools, so we might as well embrace them.
However, I do see how they can be a huge distraction. I have seen many students texting under their desks during class time. I don't think this is appropriate behavior. Therefore, I think there must be some way to incorporate cell phones effectively in the classroom. I am just unsure how to properly integrate them.
Christina,
I agree with you. Cell phones are pretty much apart of our culture and society now, starting as early as elementary school. They can be a nuisance and a distraction in the classroom; however maybe these devices can be turned into something valuable and academic. I guess we will see what the future brings!
-Shannan
Our school district is discussion the possiblity of allowing cell phone use by Dec. I am a little concerned about this because I am not sure the benefits of using cell phones in class. Will the students not be tempted to text when they should be researcing? Will they refuse to put the phones away when they are not used? Are we stirring up more classroom management issues for those students that already have a difficult time with it? These are the questions that I have. I can see the benefit of using the phone for research, especially because most sites at school are blocked and it is easier then having to block time at the library. Other than that I am not sure how it would benefit. One article I read talked about a teacher who had the students text their answers rather than raise their hands. Are we setting the kids up to again learn how to not communicate and interact appropriately. Kids today feel that an email is the appropriate form of communication rather than face to face. I am not sure about this. I guess only time will tell and maybe I will find other ways to use it and it will become my friend instead of my anticipated.....
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