Cell Phone Documentary

I have been researching the pros and cons of cell phone use in the classroom. I have found much information regarding both sides. I feel that in most cases cell phones should not be allowed in the classroom. However, teachers should have a phone that parents can get a call to easily, this is in case of an emergency. Schools can also be contacted in times of need. I think the bad things out weigh the good. Having cell phones in the classroom is an easy way out for children and working. Teachers need to keep a look out for the use of students and their cellphones. Students are finding better ways to hide their cellphones from the teachers, and they need to be aware that it is happening. I have added a video of Liz Kolb showing techniques of how to use cell phones in the classroom. These can be very beneficial to students, but need to be used the correct way.

Teacher Training?

When was the last time you looked in a school? Technology has become more present each and every day. Schools are now buying more computers, not only for computer labs, but computer labs on the go. Schools buy laptops and put them on a portable cart. With all this new technology going on teachers can fall behind. The older generation of teachers often have not been raised with these things, and often don't know how to use them. Young teachers can accomadate to these changes with little effort or training. Some of the older teachers often require one on one training. This can cost more money for the schools, and more time for the teachers. The question is, Is it worth it to train all these teachers and put all the money into it? My answer is yes. Incoorperating all this new technolgy is a hassle, but better of in the long run. The students have more learning opportunites with all this new techonolgy. In 1996 Bill Clinton stared a project, to have every classroom connect with the information superhighway. With this new technology is can be misused very quickly. Many college classrooms require students to have laps tops in class to take notes on and connect to a channel, where the teachers can connect with the students as well. Students with these privigles can also abuse them. Most computers have internet connected with them, and students are often on this and can be checking things on the internet, or messing around on sites or games.  

Computer Use in Classrooms

The world is quickly changing. Students are learning in very different ways then their parents, and more so then their grandparents. Computers were not brought into schools until 1975. This means that many parents of the college level children, started using computers in school. This was a new development at the time. In the case of my mother as well as others, there may have been one working computer in the school for student use, while in their middle school years. Most schools in America now not only have computers in every classroom, but most have a least one computer lab. Most schools have more than one computer lab. Computers are now becoming a way for students to learn, starting at early as 3 years old. Students are now being introduced to a computer lab in first grade. However, most have already played them in their homes. There is many websites now offering educational games for children as young as pre-school age. Teachers now require many assignments to be completed online or turned in via a computer. ESL classrooms are now working computers into everyday use. This can be a great language learning tool. The invention of a computer has vastly changed the way that students live and learn everyday.

Cell Phone Use in Schools

20 years ago we would have never had to worry about students using phones while in class. Things have now changed. Students can sit in class and not only have their phones with them but can the students can send text messages to other students in the room, or anyone anywhere out in the world. Students can have phones with internet capabilities, by having this they can check their emails and go to any site on the web, whenever they please. This can create a major problem. First of all if students can do this whenever, they will simply do so. Whenever they get bored or feel the need to check up on something or talk to someone they will do so. This creates a problem not only for the teacher but for other students in the room as well. The teacher no longer has the students attention which means they are not learning. The other students in the room can become very distracted by this as well. I myself have been in class when the person next to me received a message and proceed to respond. All I heard was the sound of click click clicking. This was very distracting and the teacher had now lost my attention as well. Students can send messages to each other while in class. This creates an even bigger problem. A much easier way for students to cheat. If a students is work on an exam and does not know the answer to the question they can sen a text message to another student in the room, who can respond with the answer. That student could also send that message to someone else who would possible know the answer. The student could get on the internet on their phone and use Google or another tool to find the answer. Many possibilities are now in place. If a students is going to take a very difficult math test they could prepare the answers ahead of time and save them on their phone. Yet another way for students to cheat. They could write down the work and open the phone and copy it all on to their test. Many phone now are touch screen so the student could write out all the work he would have to show on the exam as well. I believe students should not be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom for this reason alone.

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