DISQUS

Jim · 1 year ago

What is ironic is that teachers want it both ways. They don't want their students to use cell phones in their classroom because it might interrupt their teaching. But did you ever take note of how many conference sessions (or PD sessions, faculty meetings and even CHURCH for goodness sakes!) are interrupted by ringing cell phones?

You're right. Teachers do have responsibility to teach cell phone etiquette, but I would suggest that many of them need to learn it themselves first!

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

: )

Paul Wood · 1 year ago

I am th elone ranger in my building as to the use of cell phones. I teach a class of 11th & 12th grade students. My only rule is when there is an opportunity to use the phone and it will benefit what we are doing, then we do it. Any off task use incurs a fine of $25 which we will donate to a charity. So far we have done some research through the texting of Google (466453). We will continue to expand the use in some areas. So besides Vicki Davis and now Liz Kolb, I will continue to learn ways to use the bandwidth the students are carrying around with them. For those who don't have a cell, I give them my iPhone to use and do their research. I want no one feeling left out.

I also gave out my cell number to my students. From 7:30 - 10 pm they can access me via email, text or phone call. I sent an email to parents with an explaination as to why and I did not receive a single negative response, I did receive several thank you's for being so willing to communicate with the parents and the students. The rule in this area is simple, I do not call them except in response, inappropriate texts I will call the parents. The obvious question "What if one of my friends does it playing around?" My response was "Whose phone is it?" The students have responded well and I expected nothing less. Last night I handled texts messages from 6:45 - 11 pm. We obviously need to work on the parameters a bit.

Sharon Harper · 1 year ago

Seesmic video reply from Disqus.

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

I think that one thing this shows is how responsive your students are to communicating through text messages.

Wow.

I'd be interested in knowing how much more (or less) willing your students are to communicate with you via text message versus any other medium (email, phone call, or face to face).

Larry Ferlazzo · 1 year ago

Darren,

I'm obviously all for integrating technology in classroom instruction, but I've got to say I'm not yet on board on the cellphone issue, especially for inner city high schools such as the one where I teach. I've had an on-going conversation with Alice Mercer about this issue.

I think having a zero tolerance for use of, and even seeing, cellphones during the school day has been a small, but important, element of the growing success of our high school. It has reduced the odds of students calling friends or family to come and participate in fights (or potential) fights. In addition, many of our students come from hectic home situations, and the added distraction and temptation of using a cellphone in class, I think, carries with it more negatives than positives (on another note, we've also recently banned students using ipods and mp3 players, and I've got to admit that I believe that this change has also been a positive development for our school culture).

It's also important to note that our school is certainly does not have a "police-state" mentality. We have a very relational culture, divided into small learning communities, and we overtly refuse to "teach to the test" and instead focus on developing life long learners. We have a very relational discipline system. We are recognized internationally for our creative use of technology in instruction. And we recently became one of the few high schools in the country to come out of Fourth Year Program Improvement status under NCLB.

I've been following online discussions about this topic for awhile, and, I think, have been trying to keep an open mind. I still haven't been convinced, though. I'm not sure where many of the primary proponents of cellphone use teacher, but I'd be curious if any teach in an inner-city environment. I'd be very interested in hearing about their specific experience.

Larry

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

Finally a dissenting voice! Thank you for sharing your opinion. I suspect
that more educators would agree with your approach than disagree. Those that
likely agree with you, however, have yet to add their voice - in great
number - to online discussions?

Mrs. Stugart · 1 year ago

I want to know more about Mrs. Kolb's efforts to use these applications to control her students' cell phone use. I teach both Senior English and Newspaper. Cell phones would be a great tool for my journalists and if I could monitor them, that'd be great too!

Jared Stein · 1 year ago

I also dissent. (I can see @johnkrutsch and @diamond_mind rolling their eyes). I don't believe cell phone-based activities need to be part of a classroom environment, especially in K-12. Cell phones are not like computers--kids do not seem to need to be taught to use them, nor do they need to be encouraged to use them. The jury is still out on this, but in my opinion the limited range of activities possible on a cell phone, and the burst-like nature of these activities, seems to discourage intense focus and inhibit students from entering "the zone" that is proximal for learning and producing. This may be disproven, and I'm not afraid of that conclusion if it turns out to be the case, but as I said, the jury is still out.

So while I think kids can happily integrate cell phones into their social lives, and even use them as ways to access information on-demand (I do believe _this_ aspect should be taught, but why spend more than an hour or two a year on it?), I think we can preserve the classroom environment as one where cellphones are unnecessary, and in fact distractions. Instead, we use the classroom environment to focus on attention-building, concentration-supporting activities, and let cellphone use flourish on student's own time.

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

In _Disrupting Class_ Clayton Christensen describes a future educational
world full of computer-driven, student-centric activities. I'm not entirely
convinced that he's right, but his theory definitely has potential.

If his predictions are correct, I wonder how we'll ever provide the access
to such activities if we don't use hand-held devices?

I realize this comment merits additional background - I'll write more about
this in a future post.

Jon Becker · 1 year ago

As I see it, there's a bit too much generalizing going on; too many broad brushes being used to paint this issue. I think it would behoove schools/districts to craft policies that are responsive to the local context and also flexible enough to meet pedagogical demand. So, Larry, I don't know that we can generalize from your school to all schools in urban areas. I think the problems you cite (e.g. kids calling friends for fights) could be a concern in lots of places, including plenty of suburban and rural schools that have problems with gangs. So, where those sorts of problems have been sufficiently documented and have become disruptive, cell phone policies should be drafted accordingly. That said, an all-out ban might miss the one or two teachers in a building who can really facilitate incredible learning experiences that involve cell phones (or, better yet, little Web devices). See e.g. Paul Wood in the first comment. So, couldn't, for example, a cell phone policy ban their use during non-instructional time and leave it to the teacher's discretion as to whether phones can be on during class time?

Jared, I think, also might be overbroad and says "Cell phones are not like computers." Really? Have you used the new iPhone? The convergence of Web-based devices and phones is upon us and we'll soon not be able to distinguish a phone from a "computer." Furthermore, Jared writes, "[s]o while I think kids can happily integrate cell phones into their social lives, and even use them as ways to access information on-demand..." Well, accessing information on demand should, IMHO, be part of 21st century teaching and learning. In my classes (granted I'm in higher ed., but still...), our discussions/conversations inevitably lead to questions of fact. I love being able to ask the students to look up the answers in real-time.

So, I would suggest openness and flexibility. Maybe reason should be what we are looking for rather than assent/dissent.

Dean Shareski · 1 year ago

Jon echoes my sentiments pretty closely. Those teachers that have either figured it out or at least want to explore their use, should be able. If you don't see how they have value, then don't use them. Not sure blanket statements or policies are very helpful. And while I'd never have this same attitude towards a laptop computer, I understand why we might let teachers pass on using cellphones. But imagine if in 1992 a student brought a laptop computer to school. Would they have been welcomed? I'm guessing not.

Jon's also correct in his identification of the iphone as a computer. It might be hard for some to see a basic cellphone as a computer but that's because most use about 10% of its capabilities. Do those dissenters see them as cameras,voice recorders, or video cameras? Many teachers would be thrilled to have students with these devices. Many would be scared out their minds.

Jen · 1 year ago

Darren, this is a very interesting discussion and I like that the comments reflect some degree of flexibility. I like that there is starting to be more discussion, dissent, and inquiry in this network of educators. I like that we are at a point where we can honestly reflect on a few years of experimentation.
One thing that is really floating to the top for me lately, is the recognition that every learner, classroom, institution, district, country, etc. is unique. As much as we strive to connect globally, I think we need to bring things back to the individual learners. Once we do that, we also need to see beyond the current instructional cycle and realize how our actions now can affect their future.
Cell phones may or may not be useful in the classroom. Certainly, instructors, with feedback from students and parents, should have the ability to make those decisions. But if an instructor decides it isn't appropriate for their current learning environment, that decision should be respected. Learners, parents and teachers should all fight for their rights to make choices. If an instructor is primarily concerned with how to manage, monitor and teach, they most likely aren't appropriately applying technology for learning anyway and need to reconsider their pedagogical approach.

Robin Ellis · 1 year ago

Our high school policy is that student cell phones are not on, not visible during the school day, in the middle schools the phones are only permitted to be kept off and in student lockers. So even if I had teachers interested in exploring the uses of cell phones in the classrooms, they would be acting against building policies. I have teachers struggling with what web 2.0 is, they see cell phones as nothing more than a nuisance with no educational value in classroom instruction.
I like the list of rules you reference in the post, and I believe for some this may be something they would be willing to look at but in my district with the actual policy in place, no one would be willing to do so.

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

I agree with Jon, Dean, Jen, and Robin that if a teacher desires to use a technology in their teaching, then policy shouldn't prohibit their actions. Shouldn't policy aid the classroom teacher in achieving their academic goals.

Again: Fail.

Robin Ellis · 1 year ago

Yes, policy should aid the classroom teacher, but how often are teachers invited to participate in writing building policy? I am afraid in many cases there is a feeling of the more gadgets available for students, the less they will pay attention. When in truth the more gadgets available and used in instruction constructively the more engaged the students will be.

Lee Speers · 1 year ago

I am glad to see that others are fighting the good fight. Check out my person battle with the banning first mentality http://leespeers.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-for-u...

coolcatteacher · 1 year ago

We have another trick -- we require students to leave the cell phone on the teacher's desk when going to the bathroom! ;-)

Rodney Moody · 1 year ago

I think that one of the issues with the use of cell phones in the classroom is that many students will have different cell phone pay plans (many of which the parents are paying for). There are other issues but in effort not to be long winded, here is my plan for making accomodations. 1) Rather than buying class sets of books, order the DVD only and spend the extra money allocated for books on class sets (30 or so) of cell phones, with packages including texting and internet usage. 2) With a class set of phones the teacher is in charge of the phones and their usage. Student's personal cell phones will not be allowed in the building.
Yes, I know that is a radical concept but it does overcome some issues with the use of cell phones in the classroom.

Darren Draper · 1 year ago

Interesting concept, but I wonder about costs. What plan are you panning on
purchasing and how much will it cost?

Rodney Moody · 1 year ago

Well...now that is a good question and one that would take great consideration. I would certainly approach Apple and inquire about bulk purchases of IPhones or REM Blackberry or basically any kind of smart phone that enables the use of web searches, full keyboard texting and any other bells and whistles that I can find.

Greg · 1 year ago

I am the opinion that mobile phones should not be used at schools. It distracts students from focusing on learning material.