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When I ask the students why they are so attached to their devices with the small (some aren't so small) screens, I invariably get the response, "It's my life."
What are your initial impressions of using cell phones in the classroom?
Having a social contract to ensure responsible use is an integral part of developing a digitally connected classroom.
It is great for our students to be able to use them for the dictionary and calculator features.
They are a distraction to learning, as students are constantly worried about what message they might be missing. It is really frustrating that parents text and email students expecting them to respond.
I agree. I am surprised how often texts are from parents!
learning how to use this
I think it’s important to engage students with the technology they’re attached to. Cell phones can be great tools for learning, but if we don’t teach them how, they often don’t realize that just because they’re adept at using a cell phone doesn’t mean they’re adept at using it as a tool for learning.
I teach fifth grade, and our school policy is that any student who brings a personal device (cell phone, iPad, MP3 player, etc.) must turn it in at the office in the morning and pick it up at the end of the day. What gets me is the number of students at the elementary level who have their own cell phones, iPads, and other devices. I understand the need to connect with parents in an emergency, but I can’t wrap my head around the idea of a ten-year-old with such an expensive device all their own.
I think in my building that if we could all agree to a policy and stick with it the students would be responsible.
I just don't get it and probably never will, but here is my attempt at understanding.
After careful observation, I have determined that the cell phones are analogous to what happened when the Walkman first appeared on the scene for the older generation. A Walkman was a portable cassette player that sometimes came with a radio.
Students could conveniently take their music with them and also conveniently tune out any undesirable noise. Within this cocoon of music, students feel safe and protected. "I study better with my music" is a frequent response to "Please take the earbuds out." It doesn't matter how much research you share about the brain not being able to focus on more than one thing at a time, as soon as you turn your back, the earbuds will be back in.
They even have hoodies with built-in earbuds instead of drawstrings so that the students can wall themselves off with little chance of detection. They have thousands of songs on their playlist. It seems like an appendage to their bodies (as with many adults, as well).
The Texting Frenzy
Are you tired of seeing students text each other while sitting side by side? Lol. Or how about the sly student who is writing with pen at his desk while texting with the other hand under the desk? Are you frustrated by the text language and spelling that creeps into student assignments? Who are they texting? Is it other students that should be paying attention in class? I was shocked when I looked at my son's texting count -- over five thousand in one month! That's roughly one text for every three minutes he was awake. For some students that is a low number.
Accepting Reality
Phones at school are inevitable. Should we embrace the "bring your own technology" (BYOT) model or the extreme "you take it out and I take it away!" policy? How do you monitor and keep 30 phones busy doing productive work? What do you do with the few kids that do not have phones? On the other hand, is keeping a phoneless classroom worth the hassle and effort of being the phone ogre? Can you have both? No easy answer for this is found anywhere in blogosphere.
Whatever you decide, you cannot turn a blind eye to tackling this challenge -- school-wide and in the classroom. Perhaps the best thing you could do for yourself this summer is craft your classroom cell phone policy.
If you choose BYOT, students have to understand beforehand that using their phone has an educational purpose and what the consequences are for straying from that purpose. Then you have to enforce it, which means constant surveillance as you walk around, looking at every phone or tablet.
Deciding on a Cell Phone Policy
There’s a fine line to approaching technology in the room…what are some overall technology policies that have been most effective for you?
Establishing a no cell phone zone in your classroom requires a few things. First off, you need support from your administration, because you will possibly be sending repeat offenders to the office. You need also pervasive reminders of your policy on the classroom walls and in your lesson-framing pep talks. Perhaps the most important element is minimal downtime in your learning activities, because the temptation to sneak a look is just too strong.
Our school will be 1:1 this year. Even with a cell phone policy, we will have to compete with the challenges the computer brings to the classroom. Students will find multiple ways of communicating online that no longer involve cell phones.
While many schools still have strict phone policies, some schools ignore the policies in place and follow don't ask, don't tell. As long as a student is not causing problems, they can use their phones as much as they want outside of class, and each teacher has to determine how much phone use goes on in class. Cell phones in the classroom can be a significant discipline problem and classroom management struggle if clear and explicit guidelines are not established the first day. Every teacher's tolerance for phone usage varies.
But as an administrator, if I walk in and see earbuds and phones out during direct instruction, I see a problem that needs to be fixed. I am curious to hear your thoughts on cell phones in the classroom and the policies at your school. Please share in the comments section below.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-manage-cell-phones-classroom-ben-johnson
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