Using Smartphones As Tools For Learning

Technology is advancing every day. “More than 203 million people in the United States use cell phones” (Castle), but schools expect students not to use it. Cell phones play a huge role in high school

Phones are easy to use and very accessible by both students and teachers. “Smartphones allow us to take down notes any time, any place.” “smartphones allows you to access resources and material quickly before an exam.” “not only can we make videos, but we can also edit them, add text, filters, effects and more.” This is true because smartphones really do work in a way that is helpful to students and teachers. This evidence is supporting it by just stating that there are many cool and useful ways to use them.

From personal experience, I can say that high school students are going to have cell phones in class regardless of the punishments associated with getting caught; the main reason is that they seldom get caught. With one teacher and roughly thirty students, it is easy to sneak by the teacher’s gaze and send a text message here or there or find the score to the big game that you missed. Michael Rich, pediatrician and media expert, says, “Pandora’s box is open here… What we need to do is take control of them instead of them control us” (Teachers vs. Texting). To help reduce these disruptions from occurring, we need to incorporate cell phones into high school classroom with the other technologies to promote interactive and kinesthetic learning.

Cell phones should be allowed in school because they can further students ability to learn and/or stay focused. Audrey Watters wrote, “And that’s probably one of the most important observations: Many students already carry a powerful computing device in their pockets, while oftentimes much of the technology hardware at schools is woefully out-of-date.” This is a major reason why cell phones should be allowed in school because in some schools that do not have the most updated technology there students do on their phones. By allowing cell phones in school, students have access to these powerful devices that can be utilized for free while increasing classroom resources. Watters continued to write, “Schools may find they have equipped student

Despite the fact that cell phones are conduits for information they are also a major distraction in the classroom. “31% of teens who take their phones to school send or receive text messages everyday during class time.” (Document 5) Almost one third of the students in a classroom are devoting their attention to their cell phones rather than paying attention to the information given by the teacher. Students not giving their full attention don’t receive all of the lesson

In today’s society, smart phones are a part of a student’s average, everyday life. No matter what people are doing, they find time to look at their phone and make a call, read a text, check e-mails, or search something on Google. Even though people find so many uses for them throughout the day, they are a controversial subject to talk about in their use in the classroom. Many schools have policies strictly prohibiting the use of smart phones in school. For schools to ban the use of smart phones is a major mistake. They only look at cell phones as a distraction to students, and don’t understand that this generation is dependent on the technologies of today. What educators need to do is ask themselves

The article “Lift the Cell Phone Ban”, David Rapp (2009) addresses cell phones more as a positive impact in classrooms because there are more social apps, reminders such as alarms and calendar events, and provide accessibility. Teachers let students use their cell phones for school purposes instead of being seen as a distraction. After an experiment using Bluetooth networking teachers realized information sharing provided as useful. Having teachers get out of the box intimidates some, but it would be a better idea to give the students a chance since it is a part of their everyday lives. The GoKnow program turns a cell phone into a valuable tool for teachers and students to use for educational purposes and easier to turn in documents. David

The students would not have to make time to go to the computer lab to use a computer, they could instantly research at their desk (Funding , 2014). For students to use a cell phone in the classroom, they would have to be greatly monitored to keep them focused on research, not playing games, texting, or browsing social media. If the students are not monitored when using a cell phone in class, their learning process is hindered greatly. Statistics show that seventy-three percent of teachers admitted that they or their students use cell phones in the classroom (Bautista, 2013). Cell phones can be a distraction for teachers as well as students, if teachers are too wrapped up in their social networking profiles and not concerned with the students sitting before them, they are failing to do their job

Regina Jones's “Cell phones in the classroom” is an informational article that explains both sides of the issue of cell phones in the classroom. The idea of cell phones in the classroom has been debated for a long time. Jones discusses that the idea of cell phones in the classroom seems like a beneficial idea, but it has many consequences. Jones does not side with a specific opinion, but rather shows how to properly incorporate the idea given its cons. With the correct procedure, cell phones could be a valuable teaching aid to help kids learn in a contemporary way.

Many students have used their cell phones to share answers to tests and quizzes, and to report inaccurate and offensive information about other students and their school. Cell phones can be distractions in the school environment, evading classroom time and reducing student’s academic success.

In “Lift the Cell Phone Ban,” Rapp (2009) asserts cell phones are educational tools because of helpful apps, their widely accessible, and they have a myriad of settings for reminders. In Saskatchewan Canada at Carik School started an experiment in cell phones became important to the curriculum. Instead teachers looking at them as a bad thing, Principal Taylor looked at them as a tool for students. Testing the Waters Educators were uncertain about the idea of using cell phones because only 40% had cellphones. Teachers realized that having Bluetooth for easier information online was critical. This worked out well in “Lit Circles” giving the students all easy access online. Learning Curves- Teachers didn’t feel comfortable with the idea because

Every teacher has a different policy on cell phone use in class. In past years, cell phones were essentially banned from classrooms while more recently teachers have been more lenient with their policy. Educational devices such as computers and online learning have been embraced by many school districts, while cell phones which offer the same effect on learning have been outlawed. Advancements in technology can provide students with a new learning tools where the learning tools will be used in the real world. Students who use cell phones to access research information are able to reach a wide variety of current information. Teachers are also able to teach students the proper way to use cell phones in a professional setting. Cell phones can also raise engagement levels in classes. In the article Cell Phones in the Classroom by George Engel and Tim Green, “There was an observable rise in class participation when cell phones were used in the class” (44). While cell phones were once considered a distraction, the way society uses cell phones has changed. Likewise, the purpose of cell phones has shifted from solely communication to a variety of benefits. Cell phones should be allowed in classrooms for educational uses because there are so many different ways to learn and study using them.

Many people believe that bringing cell phones to school may cause distractions. However, a recent study leads more and more people to believe that mobile phones could in fact be a “powerful learning tool” (Docksai), serving as a mobile computer ("Cell Phones in the Classroom” ). Elizabeth Hartnell- Young, a research fellow from the University of Nottingham tracked 331 students from 14 to 16 years old, for learning through cell phones. They used cell phones to make short videos, set homework reminders, record poems, and transfer files from home to school (Docksai). Students described their learning experience as “motivated” (Docksai). Many experts pointed out that students have a “deep comfort level” with mobile phones (Docksai). In other words, students could learn more if they enjoyed what they were doing. An increasing number of teachers have changed their point of view towards cell phones, many now believe that cell phones would exert positive effects on education. For example, some teachers have already started to collect homework online and answer questions through text- messaging. A school in Saskatchewan encouraged students to read and share thoughts about books through their cell phones (Docksai). Furthermore, according to a recent survey, the majority of students could refrain from using cell phones and not be distracted by them in class. In fact, over 71% of students didn’t

Many teachers believe that cell phones don’t belong in a classroom because there are several disadvantages. An example maybe a student who uses a cell phone in class has no intension in listening or paying attention to the teacher. This student has a short attention span who cares about socializing more than his/her education. Cell phones can be very disruptive; they can invade people’s privacy and can also be used as harassment or bullying. The usage of cell phones is creating a huge problem particularly when they are used in school.

Smartphones have become a part of everyone’s body. Almost everything can be done through smart phones. Paying bills, doing grocery, buying food, and more time consuming tasks can all be done almost instantly by smartphones. Many jobs and institutions today do not allow the use of smartphones during a certain time, especially schools. Prohibition of cell phones in school is a good idea to prevent students from getting distracted. However, high school students should be allowed to access their cell phones at school, because high school students are mature enough to use their cell phones productively and beneficially. Having access to internet is very important to high school students. Many students could not afford to have all kinds of devices, such as laptop, tablets, and cell phones. Entirely banning the usage of cell phones can make students hate the school causing them to be more arrogant.