Do cell phones have a place in the classroom? They’re prohibited at Northwest Christian High School, where I teach, and I used to think the policy was a no-brainer. But with slow, outdated computers and way too much down time, I’m not sure I agree anymore. When I spend half a class period troubleshooting one of my student’s computers while he or she twiddles her thumbs, I can't help but think, “This kid has a tiny computer (iPhone, or whatever) in his backpack, why don't we just use that for the time being?”
It seems like most secondary school kids have cell phones now days, but we’re actually laggards compared to many developed countries. In 2004, Marc Presnky wrote, “In some countries and groups – such as students in parts of Japan, Korea, Europe and the Philippines – cell phone penetration is over 100 percent, which means that individuals own and use two or more of these devices.”
Rick McKinnon, eLearning Director at South Puget Sound Community College, and instructor at The Evergreen State College, says, “Why not have students tweeting suggestions to each other during class?” Presnky goes on to say, “For as U.S. educators are busy banning cell phones in schools, millions of students in China and Japan, the Philippines, and Germany are using their mobile phones (respectively), to learn English; to study math, health and spelling; and to access live and archived university lectures.”
So, my question for you is, are we fighting a losing battle? Would our energies be better spent learning how to utilize technology (and engaging our students in the ways they're engaged off campus?)
Nice argument. Unfortunately most administration will only see the downside and possible "cheating" applications, then decide the general rule will be to punish the few offenders. It's the battles that they choose.
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