Last week, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty suggested that students should be allowed to use cell phones in the classroom.
Currently, students are prohibited through board and school policies to use any electronic device on school property without the express consent from staff.
Specifically, there are several reasons for precluding students from using cell phones on school property. Students have used cell phones to traffic illicit drugs, copy assessments, communicate to other friends what is on a test, bully and harass other students on school property and take improper pictures of staff and students that invariably end up on the Internet.
The 21st century learning environment speaks to the use of technology in every facet of education. For example, there will come a time where all instructional materials will be distributed to students electronically and textbooks may go the way of the horse and carriage.
Many students come to a school that has inferior technology to what they use on a daily basis at home. That said, students have access to wireless networks for their laptops and computer networks for classroom instruction. In addition, staff frequently use interactive smart boards, youtube, wiki spaces, class portals and electronic clickers that allow students to respond to questions and get immediate feedback on projector screens as part of their instructional and assessment practices.
I am not sure where and why cell phones would offer any educational benefit above and beyond what we already have in place?
Looking forward to you sharing your opinion. As an aside, you are welcome to join us at our first Catholic School Council meeting in our library September 29th at 7:00 pm.
This ruling should be consistant through out the school. Some teachers say yes, some teachers say no. Children today tend to be self serving with an incredible sense of entitlement. We "parents" have failed our children. Although it is not the teacher's responsibility to mend this problem, if we just said NO Cell phones, Ipods, I phones, MP3 players etc. etc. There would be no room for interpretation. Our children may actually sit in class and hear something. And that desk drawer in the office with all the items "taken away"...may be empty. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI don't get to use my cell phone at work, why should kids have them in the classroom? Surely they can live without them - and if not, why not? I don't see a purpose or point. I'm sure most kids already know how to use them so there's no need to teach them about them in the classroom. Enough is enough, kids will never learn anything if they have cell phones with them - it will be more work for teachers trying to get them to listen when the students are frantically typing texts to friends. Kids NEED to learn when & where it's okay to use them and hey parents, it's GOOD for your kids if you say NO sometimes!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Mr. DeSantis
ReplyDeleteAs a classroom teacher I can see the concerns Administration has about the technology's potential for abuse & invasion of personal privacy. But I agree with the Premier's position on the use of cell phones in education.I'd like to offer my own reasons for not banning them.
Firstly, Internet technology is ubiquitous: in fact, the networked models of communication afforded by Web 2.0 make it almost necessary to regard cell phones as part of an interconnected 'web' of e-readers (like Kendal),personal media devices, laptops, etc.,all forming part of the same high-tech educational project in the 21st century. The educational potentials for even this device far outweigh the potential evils.
Secondly,for every abuse an equally good benefit can be derived from cell phone use in the classroom. Any activities considered criminal will have, of course, to be brought to the attention of the police. Technology shouldn't have to be just a school issue, especially given the interconnectedness of Internet communication in general.
Thirdly, even social networks are not necessarily a bad thing.Facebook, Twitter, etc can be a meaningful part of course curriculum every bit as much as Wikis and blogs. Even corporate executives see them as a great productivity tools, despite the security risks. Education shouldn't be allowed to lag too far behind the real business world that await all our students.
C.DiDiodato (St. Thomas Aquinas Seconday, Oakville)
Hello Mr.DeSantis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points that the teacher from Oakville brought up.
I believe that cell phones can be a productive learning tool in the classroom. I dont whats so wrong about using a phone as a calculator (many new models even have a scientific one) in math or science.
I can see where the problem of having a cell phone in class can arise as the amount of texting and socializing would increase sharply (I will admit I would text others aswel), and bullying could increase but with all other forms of technology and face to face communication you have just as much.
As a student who would not like my phone taken away I will not use it in the caf but
Why are we not allowed phones in the cafeteria?
Because as a student I dont see what would be the difference between going outside or going to the stairwell to use a phone. If you believe students will cheat on tests it will happen no matter what.
I am posting this anonymous because I am a student at CtK, and will admit to using my phone in the classroom and in the hallways on a regular basis. Do I feel bad about breaking the rules? No. I think as technology changes the school needs to except it and use it to its full advantage
I understand why there are no cell phones in class because a lot of people are not trustworthy but There is no point in not letting us use it in the cafeteria, most teens don't traffic drugs and can't really cheat on tests in the caf. Plus why can't we wear jackets in the caf during winter especially with no heat in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm a former CtK student and I truly think that cell phones should be allowed in the school, but not in the class room. I graduated from the school in '05 and at this time, I'd say only about 80% of us had cell phones. Today, every middle school student has one.
ReplyDeleteOnce students get to college or university, there are no formal rules on cell phones with the exception of tests and exams. That being said, individual teachers will have rules regarding cell phones - some with embarrassing punishments if your cell phone goes off or if they see you with them in class! It's just a sign of respect not to be texting away. There is nothing I hate more than being in a meeting at work giving a presentation or speaking, and having my colleagues or a potential client typing away on their Blackberry, how rude! That being said there is no reason why they should not be allowed in the halls or cafeteria. If you need to meet up with a friend you don't have classes with, figure out a ride home after sports practice, whatever it may be.
Classroom - no. School in general - yes. This is 2010. It's only going to get worse from here.