The Fuss about Phones
Technology in the classroom can be quite controversial. Deciding what, when, where are important considerations for the classroom. One such dispute is about the use of phones in the classroom. In this post I will highlight the arguments from chalk beat and UT News. With a few minutes of research you can easily find research supporting and opposing the use of phones in school.
According to UT News the benefits of cellphone banning far outweigh their use. The impact of banning phones is equivalent to increasing the school year by five days. Allowing phones is most damaging to low-achieving and low-income students. By banning cell phones schools would reduce educational inequality without high cost programs. According to research students will be able to concentrate better without the distraction of their devices.
Chalkbeat takes a different stand on cell phones. Mr. Giambalvo says that it’s common for educators to steer clear of new technologies when they are first presented. “He says that allowing students to use cell phones in the classroom in the classroom for specific, academic purposes has the power to increase student engagement and allow teachers to more effectively assess learning on a daily basis.” Students can use cellphones for exit tickets, assessments, writing, note-taking, review, etc.
I have seen both sides in my classroom. There is a time and place for cell phones. I have found that if I integrate technology into my classroom and show students how to use technology they are more responsible with it. The questions is not IF I will allow students to use their phones but WHEN. Mr. Giambalvo and I will conclude by saying, “Several years from now, the questions won’t center around whether we should use these tools in the learning process, but how we can use them best.”
What do you think about using cellphones in your classroom?
Chalkbeat- http://bit.ly/2fFQliv
UT News- http://bit.ly/1IBJzOn