Cell Phones in the classroom...No thanks!

While reading the article on cell phones in the classroom, I knew going in that I would be against it. What I did not expect, was the other side to make valid points and arguments to the contrary.

As mentioned above, I am totally against the use of cell phones in the classroom. I feel they are already a distraction and there is no real way to ensure students use them for educational purposes only while they are in class. As the author of the yes side states, "I'm not going to spend time on the fact that students would use them for purposes other than education." While technology is a must in our schools, we have to moniotr student use of computers and other school related technologies for appropriateness. We do not need to give them another tool for distraction and personal use that we have to keep our eyes on. On top of that, cell phones in our schools provide more opportunity for cyberbullying and innappropriate remarks directed to harm other students. Cell phones should be banned from not only classrooms but school property, or they t least should have to remain urned off and put away until the final bell rings.

On the other side of the argument, I do see that today's cell phones could be viewed as a tool that most students already possess that can be used for educational purposes. They definately have they capabilities, they are essentially mini computers. The author of the NO side states that, "while schools are struggling to finance the newest hardware and software, they are over- looking that many secondary students already own a technology tool that can be integral ot only in school learning, but in the students' future professional lives." This is an interesting point to say the least. With budget cuts and the state of the economy, is it not fair to use tools already at our disposal, especially ones being paid for by the student his/herself? While an interesting piece to the argument, until we can ensure responsible and appropriate use of this tool, cell phones should not be allowed in a classroom setting.

Some of the questions that came up as I read the article had to do with the point I discussed above. If students possess a tool that is capable and not funded by the school, why not implement it? This raises a great question for debate. I feel like my definately NO WAY stance is weakened, but again, until it can be policed and monitored effectivley for responsible use, how do we allow our students this freedom that can prove to be negative and detrimental to their peers or fellow students learning experience? Time will tell, but for now I see cell phone use in the classroom as a huge distraction and one tht looks to be going nowhere.

CELL

PHONES

J