Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Using Cell Phones in Class

Should cell phones be used in class? This is certainly a controversial topic and many teachers may only see the negative sides to allow cell phone use in the classroom. However, I believe that there are many good ways that cell phones can be used to enhance student learning if they are used appropriately. I also think cell phones might help motivate more students to learn.
The website I found, http://www.ernwaca.org/panaf/spip.php?article1355, talks about how teachers are now beginning to incorporate cell phones into class lessons. I really like the part from the article on how many schools may not be able to provide computers to all students, but most students have cell phones and this would be a way to integrate technology for the schools that cannot afford access to it.
Even though I can see all the positive sides to using cell phones in the classroom, I am not sure that I would use them in my classroom. A lot more of my 5th graders have cell phones, but I still think this may be a little young for them to use them responsibly without constant supervision. I feel like the students really would need to be educated on the proper use of the phones and how to use them safely. I think cell phone use would be suitable for middle school and high school students. No matter the grade level, the students would still need to be educated on how to use the phones appropriately.