Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Students with cell phones
So, this is my first attempt at a blog and I'm writing about what is currently on my mind. Why do students have to be attached to their cell phones?? The rules at our school have changed regarding cell phones over the years, and although we allow cell phones, they must be off. It never fails that a student's cell phone will ring right in the middle of class. Who is calling them? Mostly parents! So what is the sense in that? Obviously their son/daughter leaves for the same place everday: school. So who is the rule breaker?
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Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - my personal favorite other than the parent phone call is the texting inside the pocket. How do they know what they are saying and what is being said to them?
Maybe I'm just getting old and out of touch!
Hey Lori!
ReplyDeleteHow funny. One of my students, Tyler, was texting in class as I was working one-on-one with another student. I finished working with the student, then walked over to Tyler and asked if he was texting me the paper he was supposed to be writing...
HE WAS! He emailed me a text paper... amazing. Of course he had to proof and edit it (because text language isn't exactly in accordance with Colorado Content Standards). It turned out to be a great paper! lol
Great topic, thanks!
-Tara
ps - names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteCell phones are allowed in our school too, but they are supposed to be turned off. As a parent, I understand the desire to be able to contact your child anywhere, but I never would have wanted to interrupt a class. Some parents just don't get it...is it any wonder that students sometimes seem a bit self-involved?
This seems like one of those "live and let live" situations...I don't think cell phones are going away.
Donna
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteCell phones aren't permited at our school. I've even heard students say the school resource officer takes their phones afterschool hours. I don't agree with that. Anyway, they say cell phones are not allowed but I see different daily. Sometimes I get tired of making idle threats because if I take a phone, students get them back by the days end from administration.
I discussed earlier how I might let my students bring their favorite tech item into class. My son revealed to me this morning that cell phones that are blue tooth capable, are compatible to the promethean board. The phone can some how be linked to the board and their texts can be displayed onto the board. Now that sounds awesome. Of course, I need to research the thought but that is a phenomenal concept, don't you think?
This just goes to show us that technology in communication is the world our students live in, even when they are at school. In order to further engage them in lessons, we can try to beat them at their own game, by thinking of lessons they will think are cool, ones that use technology. Some teachers at my school have asked students to bring their cellphones or share one with a classmate and she created a lesson using a cell phone. I think it is neat the way that Tara caught one of her students texting and it turned out to be a paper he was writing for her. Although the student had to edit the paper in order to meet the standards, ediitng is one of the steps in the writing process. Students need to practice this over and over. I also teach middle school language arts, and social studies. So far, cell phone use during school hours has not become a problem at my school. My son is in high school and he tells me that the over 90% of the students at his school talk on their phones in the hallways, in between classes, and text message during class. One has to wonder, are they learning?
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be the same problem as passing notes in class. I had an English teacher who would get furious if students wrote or passed notes in class. These are the same kids she would yell at who didn't write assigned papers in class. She could have benefitted from having kids use this technology to write their papers. I always try to remember in any setting to punish the user not the technology. I think we should allow cell phones and Ipods in class and teach kids how to use the privilege with its restrictions.
ReplyDelete