Should Cell Phones be Used in our Classrooms?
Cell phones can often times be considered a distraction in the classroom, but I believe that the technology we have today allows for us to find ways to incorporate cell phones into our curriculums so that they can actually aide our students instead of hindering them.
“Cell phones are different from a computer lab filled with computers or a cart of netbooks because the cell phone is personal technology. Most students have invested a great deal of time learning about the features of the cell phone, how to navigate and the limitations of the phone. The other reason to really rethink the cell phone debate is because learning on the cell phone can extend beyond the walls of the school or the confines of a class period(Ormiston).”
According to a study completed by the State University of New York, students felt as if cell phone use in their class actually boosted their enjoyment for that class. They did not believe it was a distraction, it helped their learning, and even improved their attendance. The more the students used their cellphones, the more they believed that their cell phones were aiding them in that class (Tessier, 27–29).
However on the opposite end, a different study completed by Obringer and Coffey in 2007 shows us that in American high schools, 80% of students felt as if text-messaging could be a potential problem during tests. Another study completed by Gilroy in 2004 found that one-third of college students play games on the cell phones during class periods thus are not paying as close attention to the material that is being taught to them(Ali, 224).
Teachers and students however do not always necessarily view cell phone usage in the same light according to a study completed by Domitrek and Raby in 2008 when they studied the differences between the teachers, administration, and students. In a rationale created by Prensky, it is believed that older generations may have a different viewpoint on electronic devices because they did not grow up being dependent upon them.
“students from Prensky’s viewpoint and found that students view electronic devices as (a) essential elements of social life, (b) necessary at all times for safety, and (c) integral factors in everyday life. Teachers — even if they qualify as digital immigrants — view electronic devices as take-it-or-leave-it devices that are unnecessary in the class- room(Baker 277).”
There is always going to be differentiating opinions on whether or not cell phones will be beneficial to a learning environment or not. The different arguments almost always have a counter argument to go along with it.
School budgets have continued to drop throughout recent years, and we are in desperate need to find ways in order to cut funds. Cell phones are entering the schools and classrooms no matter what rules are instated, so why not at least take advantage of them? If not all students have a cell phone that can be used for these purposes, group students up. Not only will that solve the problem with the lack of number of cell phones, but it will also help students to better work with their peers. They will be using their phones to problem solve and collaborate with one another.
“We didn’t ban pens in our schools because students can pass notes during class. The pencils have also survived even though you could poke someone in the eye. And the amount of paper that is generated in most schools is almost criminal (Ormiston).”
Endless Possibilities:
Although it is clear that cell phones can cause a serious disruption to class time — with the texting, calls, alarms, and even music — we are given a great teaching tool for our students. Having students learn how to use their cellphones in class may not only be able to add new resources to the classroom, but can also help students learn how to multitask by both using resources on their cell phones and actively listening to what the teacher is saying.
Smart phones are now allowing for all types of resources on our cell phones. With the app store and internet access, we are given countless possibilities in order to enhance the learning environment in our classrooms. Videos, pictures, voice memos, notes, and other various forms of recordings are all simple ways for students to use their phones to aide them during class time. When students are given their daily reminders from their teacher, there is even an app available to give you a reminder at a set date and time to be sure that you have completed that required project or task. When allowing students to use these sources, they are then able to access the information that they were taught during class from one simple device.
These apps may be useful for taking notes and gathering information, but there are also many useful apps for classroom involvement. These apps may be useful for taking notes and gathering information, but there are also many useful apps for classroom involvement. For example using www.polleverywhere.com. This website allows students to immedietly answer questions given in class through a simple text messages, which gives the teacher and students instant results. Another very similar website is http://theanswerpad.com. This website is similar to the first however it enables you to go into further detail with assessment and feedback.
Simple apps like the ones above are great for recording, taking notes, and classroom participation but what about communication? Using apps that allow students to access information from their teacher both inside and outside the classroom can be very beneficial to the overall interactions within a classroom. Not only can technology help students and teachers communicate, but it can also help parents and teachers convey their thoughts to one another without much hassle. For example, Twitter can be a very helpful website and app that helps to express quick messages which can contain text, photos, videos, and links. These posts can be posted as frequently as needed which can be useful in a classroom when students or parents need quick feedback. Using cell phones in the classroom would allow the students to access twitter at any point to quickly check what has been posted as reminders or class information.
Although email has been a way of communcation for quite some time, technology is now allowing for it to become even more prevalent. This is because emails are now an easy resource to access right from a cell phone. Class emails can include anything from reminders to resources for class that day. This can be helpful especially when students do not print out their articles, whether they forgot or are just nature-friendly. As you can see in my genre piece below, emails are able to incorporate a multitude of different resouces for students and parents to access both inside and outside of the classroom. For example there are reminders, links to homework assignments, and even attachments for handouts if a student was absent or misplaced theirs.
Recently there have been some new twists on the simple text messages when talking in big groups. Rather than sending out single messages or even having to create group text messages, students can create a group through the GroupMe app/website which allows for over 50 students to join in a single group. It can be accessed through a computer, texting, or an app. This allows for the students to ask eachother questions they may not want to ask the teacher, collaborate with one another, and share their ideas. It is a quick way to contact classmates and can help boost friendships within a class.
From my own personal experiences, cell phones are going to be a part of the classroom whether they are permitted or not. Ban or no ban, students will find a way texting under their desks, behind their backs, or even in their pocket. So why do we keep fighting what is inevitable? Instead we need to work with the resources we are given. We live in a digital age, we should allow the students to use the learning tools that are right there in their pockets. Everyday technology use continues to grow and develop, along with our students familiarity with these technological devices.
“The more we discover what we can do with them, the more valuable they are. If you can harness what students are interested in, you have massive amounts of potential. And if you can get that into the classroom, you’re set (Rapp)”
Sources:
Ali, A. I., Papakie, M. R., & McDevitt, T. (2012). Dealing with the Distractions of Cell Phone Misuse/Use in the Classroom — A Case Example. Competition Forum, 10(2), 220–230.
Baker, W. M., Lusk, E. J., & Neuhauser, K. L. (2012). On the Use of Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Evidence From a Survey of Faculty and Students. Journal Of Education For Business, 87(5), 275–289. doi:10.1080/08832323.2011.622814
Ormiston, M. (n.d.). How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.teachhub.com/how-use-cell-phones-learning-tools.
Rapp, D. (n.d.). Lift the Cell Phone Ban. Retrieved September 29, 2014, from http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751073.
Tessier, J. (2013). Student Impressions of Academic Cell Phone Use in the Classroom. Journal Of College Science Teaching, 43(1), 25–29.
