Cell Phones in the Classroom

Call me old-fashioned but I just do not think that having a cell phone as a teaching tool would be a good idea. There are too many other resources that we can use that are not nearly as distracting as a cell phone. No matter what rules or contracts you try to enforce with your students, they still are going to be tempted to use that device for things besides learning.

We should be investing our funding on improving computer labs in school by updating the software and purchasing new equipment. There are so many things that can be done with a computer that can't be done with a cell phone. I feel that a cell phone can only take a student so far in advancing their technology skills, where a computer can open up so many more doors for them. Rather than focusing our time on cell phone use we should be spending more time on increasing their computer skills.

After reading both articles the only useful skill that could be beneficial is the ability to take pictures and record lectures on the cell phone that can be immediately synced with a blog or other site. I just feel that trying to incorporate cell phones into classrooms will end up costing more money than it is worth. I personally have gone over my minutes or texts in a month without even realizing and can across a shockingly high bill. I can only imagine what a teenagers monthly cell phone usage looks like. Financially it is not a wise decisiion.

When my students enter the classroom there will be no cell phones allowed. Unless the students parents have made prior arrangements with me that allows the cell phone to be present. If they bring their phone then it will be taken away and given back at the end of class. It is too much of a distraction for students and too tempting to not play with during class.