an interesting post from David Pogue – not just the post but the comments:
Today’s mailbag brings a question that was on every teacher’s lips a few years ago. I haven’t heard much talk about it recently. Is that because teachers have solved this problem on their own? If so, I’d like to hear your suggestions…
Dear David: I’m a high school teacher. Like all high schools, we are dealing with a problem that sucks time, energy, and resources like a black hole: cellphones. We waged a similar battle a few years back with iPods, and although stakes seem much higher now, the fundamental argument is the same. The argument is:
1] cellphones are a distraction
2] cellphones present a potential liability in terms of cheating on tests
3] cellphones are a distractionMy position is that we’re fighting the wrong fight, and fighting a fight no one will win. Telling teenagers that they cannot have a cellphone on their person, or worse, telling them that they can carry it but they cannot use it, is like banning cloudy days. It’s an admirable suggestion, but totally ludicrous. If I’m gauging the pace of progress correctly, by the time my current students exit college, the iPhone will be one of five devices that offer voice, text, e-mail, video chat, and Web access. Banning them is, in my opinion, ill considered at best.
I truly feel we should be incorporating their capabilities into the curriculum when possible, and teaching etiquette and personal responsibility in their use–because if the college class I teach is any example, they don’t got none. It’s so disheartening to look around during a lecture and see the soft glow of the screens while my students text away. I want to say it’s insulting, but it’s not personal — not in the least. It’s just the way it is.
So I’m asking for some insight on how to sell this to an administration that is overwhelmed with a hundred more important things, and to a school board that feels that two $500 computers are twice as good as one $1,000 machine. What’s the answer?
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Hi Greg
I was interested in reading the article and your post because I was thinking about the cell phone issue too. I agree with the idea of incorporating them and teaching about ethical and responsible use BUT…
Our school is a K-8 and I have been wondering about the issues of maturity and responsibility. What is reasonable to expect…from 11 to 14 year olds?
At this time we collect cell phones at the start of the day because we have not integrated there use into the curriculum. Even though I would like to go in that direction I am not sure how to help them be ready for the responsibility. Just recently (despite numerous classes on internet safety etc) we had to review yet again about having permission to post pictures or videos and about not posting school stuff.
It was a teachable moment but it did cause me to wonder how to handle all of this with the Junior High crowd since most of what I read is about high school age students.
Any ideas?
What to do? State the rules clearly at the beginning of class, and your reasoning for them being a distraction. Students in my class then know and follow the rules: if you use your cellphone in class, I throw you out of class, and throw your cellphone out the window (we are usually on the 4th floor). I present it with humor, and have had no problems.
I’m glad I came across this post. I just blogged on this topic and had missed this discussion. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I’ve added the link to end of my blog post about the importance of teaching the educational value of cell phones at http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/05/value-of-using-cell-phones-to-enhance.html.
Thanks for the comment Barbara. We have a policy that cell phones are fine as long as they are not seen at school. Children have them for use contacting and coordinating with families after school. They are NOT for spending time glued too during school time. This approach has meant we have had no issues at all.
We are a K-8 school (5-13 yr olds) so as you say, not so much of an issue.
I do use texting a lot for contacting and keeping in touch with parents – a useful tool for me in my management role.
thanks
Greg