Mobile Devices

There is controversy over whether or not cell phones should be allowed in the classroom. There are pros and cons to either argument. One article I discovered had bullet points that outlined most major arguments concerning the issue. This was a useful source as it made it easy to view and form an opinion on the issue by allowing access to both pros and cons on an easy to read list. The list below is a limited version of said list, with only what I viewed as the most important points remaining. For the full list, follow the link posted under my bibliography heading.

"Cons of having mobile phones in schools

• Distraction in the classroom
• Cyber-bullying
• Unfiltered internet access.
• Privacy issues with teachers having personal phone numbers of pupils and vice versa.
• Have and have not situations, as not all students will have cell phones

Pros of having mobile phones in schools

• Reduces the need for all students to have access to computers in classroom
• Can be used as data collection and for audio, pictures and video recording for things like experiments, field work, voice memos, and the like.
• Making blogs, and other webpages will allow greater creativity.
• SMS polling can be used for quick and easy ways to test or collect opinions.

This video is a presentation made by a college student displaying both sides of the cell phone in schools argument.  The video is presented very well, and allows both sides equal representation.

My Personal Opinion
I do not believe there is a clear cut answer to this argument. I do believe Cell phones should be allowed in the classroom as, like the poll we took in class recently, it can be applied to help the new generation of digital natives to learn more effectively than pen and paper would otherwise allow. I also believe restriction or control needs to be in place so the class does not derail from the set lesson plan or idea worked out for the class. Cell phones are a source of learning that has barely been tapped into. There is a lot of hidden educational potential in the use of cell phones, but the way to do that needs to be determined before it is made standard.




Bibliography;
Attwell, Graham. "25 practical ideas for using mobile phones in the classroom." 20 11 2009: n. page. Web.      19 Feb. 2012. <http://www.pontydysgu.org/2009/11/25-practical-ideas-for-using-mobile-phones-in-the-classroom/>.


Cell Phones in the Classroom : Learning Tools for the 21st Century. 2009. video. Youtube.comWeb. 19 Feb 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXt_de2-HBE>.


 - Randy