Docksai, R. (2009). Teens and cell phones. Futurist, 43(1), 10-12.
In the article "Teens and Cell Phones" Rick Docksai writes about the ways in which cell phones can be incorporated into the classroom. When I first read this article I have to admit I was skepical of how this idea could be carried out successfully. Cell phones are most often banned from classrooms, and students are accused of cheating if they attempt to use their phone while doing class assignments. Docksai reports, however, that this does not need to be the case. Some teachers who have incorporated cell phones into their learning goals have seen notable results in student achievement. Smartphones are particularly looked at in this article, which are cell phones with Internet access and other advanced applications (Docksai, 2009, p. 10). 331 teenager students were given the opportunity to use smartphones in class during a research investigation. After it was complete, the researchers found that student motivation increased when cell phones made their way into the learning process. Though the article did not provide in-depth explanations about the rules and regulations behind the use of smartphones in school, it was understood that the phones were used for organization purposes as well as to provide access to the Internet, make short movies, and record teachers' directions.
I think the use of cell phones in class could be extremely positive for learning, but teachers need to take action to prevent negative results from occurring. Schools who decide to invest in class sets of smartphones need to have strict guidelines for students to follow as they are making use of the phones. I also think students should not have access to some features of the phones while they are in class. For example, I don't think phone calls or text messages should be permitted in the classroom unless it is apart of the teachers' lesson plan and relates to the subject matter being taught. The article describes a situation in British Columbia that occurred, which makes me nervous about some ways that technology is being brought into the classroom. Students in this particular school created "fight club" videos that were posted on the Internet for public viewing. If teachers are going to permit cell phones to be used in the classroom, it must be monitored very closely. Otherwise, students will not gain any useful knowledge from the tools and will become distracted from their true learning.
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I am nervous about the use of cell phones in the classroom, too. There are many ways that this could turn into a bad thing. However, my husband has used cell phones with teenagers in his youth services. He will ask them a question and have them text the answer to his cell phone. Of course, the students seem to wake up a little more during this activity. So, I have seen cell phones used in a positive way. I could see teachers allowing students to text answers to them in this way. However, I would not want students in my class to have my personal cell phone number. Perhaps, there will come a day when each classroom is equipped with a cell phone instead of a land line.
ReplyDeleteI’m a little skeptical myself as to having and using cell phones in the classrooms too. I agree with you in which I feel if cell phones, or smartphones, are used in classrooms they should be monitored closely. I feel that in order for phones to be used successfully in classrooms one will need to model explicitly along with providing and implementing a series of rules and regulations on how to use the phones properly. I do however think it is great to use something that will help to motivate students into wanting to do their work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Tami. I myself am not sure how I feel about using cell phones in the classroom to incorporate learning. Being able to use any sort of technology would be motivating. I’m not exactly sure cell phones are the answer. I think incorporating cells phones in the classroom would require a strict classroom management system with consequences and results for not following the rules. I think it would be difficult to regulate what students are and aren’t allowed to do on the cell phone while during class. A device such as a class set of an Ipod touch may be more practical. Not every child will have a cell phone. Although I agree that technology should be incorporated into lessons and activities, the technology device should be able to be accessible to all students.
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