Tech Banned in the Classroom
Thu May 4, 2006 9:43PM EDT
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Yesterday, as I was watching the six o'clock news, I caught a story about schools banning cellphone use during school hours. At first it didn't make much sense to me, but after reading Pam Dixon's column, I realized that students were using their phones for things like " text messaging test answers, taking inappropriate pictures in bathrooms and their ringing phones were interrupting class." Those are valid points, especially the bathroom part—are they taking pics of themselves or other kids? Either way, it sounds like cell phone use has really overwhelmed schools.
Today I read this article about Professors banning laptops in University classrooms, and this other article that may explain why. Instead of taking notes during class, students were surfing the Web and "shopping for clothes at Eddie Bauer, looking for apartments to rent... and reading the New York Times." It's going to be interesting to see the outcome of these issues, and how schools will handle technology in the classroom moving forward.
So what could be some options for schools? Block wireless access? Phones with no texting or camera-phone capabilities? What do you think?
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147 Posted by tylcasperite@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse
As an educator who has taught at both the high school and junior high school level I am in favor of banning all cellphones, iPods, and any other type of technology that students can bring on campus. The temptation to misuse the technology is stronger than the possibility of using it for positive academic reasons. This is a very social age and we are asking too much of them to have the impulse control or self-discipline that is needed to appropriately use this technology on a school site. The issue of texting answers is a very real one and probably too tempting for most teens to avoid. I also teach at the college level and "adult" students copy from each other given a chance. Students do not see education as a privilege in this country but rather a hoop to jump through. Educators can not compete with the televison, video games, and instant music which is fast paced, thrilling, and stimulating. They do not know how to slow down and read, learn for the sake of learning but rather want to be entertained. Our society has been so overstimulated by technology that it is no wonder we have fallen so far behind the other countries whose schools are still places of learning. In this society the parents and the community want us to entertain their children and make learning "fun". The fault for children not learning is placed on educators when in reality society and technology have deadened children's motivation to discipline themselves, slow down and spend the quality time needed to reallly become educated. Look at the adults in our society they want bloodier, sexier, more violent entertainment in order to feel. On the rare occassion that I sit down and watch television I am appalled at what is on the television. It is scary to see how much we are moving in the direction of the Roman Empire just prior to its fall. Most of you will laugh at me and say this is a reactionist. However, if you seriously stop and look at what your are watching, what it takes to entertain you and make you "feel" you might be surprised. My college students always are when I teach a class about democracy in the age of techology and other classes where I can address the impact of technology on their lives. One student three years ago stopped watching WWF after taking one of my classes because he had never really thought about it's impact on him or his family. Teens get enough technology off campus and other than in the library or in the classroom for curriculum enhancement I believe all personal technological toys and apparatus should be banned. Our society survived very well for centuries without cellphones, iPods and gaming devices being so freely given to children. People actually sat down and read a book, families played board games and talked to each other, and appreciated outdoor activities for relaxation and exercise. Final note perhaps we would not be facing such an obesity problem with out so much technology.
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148 Posted by xxxbabyrastaxxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
look lord of games are you retarded? how are they going to set up a reciever or what not lol that would cost money and that would be dumb and why woul dthey exspell a child for txt messaging lol cheating is 3 days suspension in brevard county hehe thats a cute dream though and how would they block out the waves they are bound to get around some how lol.. that was cute.. miss katebug children now days need those tech manners i am with you on that
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149 Posted by xxxbabyrastaxxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
when my teachers cell phone goes off i turn mine on and make the ring tones go off its pretty funny but ya its like the cops on the street that want poeple to stop talkin on cell phones but they talk on them while they drive bad example, and so is a teacher talkin on her cell phone, i had a teacher that her phone would go off every other day and some how a kid got her number and we called her all class period on private. teacher need to follow the rules too, you have to follow them to enforce them
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150 Posted by xxxbabyrastaxxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
tylcasperite is right that he/she has a point board games yummy thats plenty of fun i bust them out every once in a while i like sorry and life i like boggle i am the champ at that haha anyways nice post tylcasperite
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151 Posted by miss_maree@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse
I do feel that in certain situations students need cells phones for important communication purposes. I also feel banning laptop in class for college students is not the key as well. I too am a college student but just because I may not have the internet to surf on, doesnt mean that I am pay attention, cause many days in class I am looking at the teacher but I dont know what he is saying, I am thinking about other things.
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152 Posted by jake.meitzler@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse
in my opinion... technology bans are ridiculous... if the students want to spent their class time surfing the net, then let them... unlike public schooling, the tax payer's money isnt being wasted, its the parents dinero... if these kids are willing to waste their parents money, then the parents should be banning their kids from using laptops in the college classroom, not the administration... its simply a matter of the beaurocrats stepping in and fouling up the situation instead of helping solve it... -Jake Meitzler(16), Houston, Texas
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153 Posted by elagajino on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse
English for teacher education is one of the subjects I teach in college. I have added transcribing text messages as one of the exercises in the lesson of diction or choie of words in my course outline.
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154 Posted by dramagodess@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I think that all kinds of technology could be used in school. The choose of the electronic devises being at school is the desision of the parents.The cell phone policy were I go to school is no use in class at all. The phone can be on but no;texting ,calling , or taking pictures r allowed in class or the hall ways. The responsability of the children at the school makes a difference. The problem concerning college kids is that, If they are doing those type of things instead of applying themself to there studies they should not be there. like I said it's there lack of responsability. The coice is up to them. That's all we can do. We can make restriction on them. We must concider the reason for the cell phone to stay connected toknow were u are and what you are doing. The Main Reason for a cell phone at school is so the Parents of the child knows were they are at all times.
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155 Posted by dinyh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse
Anyone who is stupid enough to pay 10-15K minimum/yr to attend a university and then sit in English class and browse daily for shoes on the web, will never make it to a degree. Give it up and save your poor parents the expense and heartache. Go get a job in a department store. That said, professors need to get on board with the educational changes that are happening in schools below college. If he's a Biology professor, have his students get in groups and research the cloning or "designer baby" issue on their laptops, pick a side, and then debate the pros and cons. There are hundreds of ways to get students to use their laptop to enhance the class and make it relevant to current issues in which students are interested.
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156 Posted by sailfever1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:00PM EDT Report Abuse
As a teacher I have had my lectures interrupted by a cell phone. It was very disruptive. I have also been disturbed by diners at the table next to me in a fine restaurant. I found both to be rude and unacceptable social behavior. Rude behavior should not be tolerated in a classroom, it breeds rude people. Technology is not the culprit, the parent who refuses to teach their child appropriate social behavior (yes, I still believe that it is the parent's responsibility) should pay the consequences and be required to come to the school to retrieve the child's cell phone when it is misused at school. Children should have the opportunity to learn and explore the use of technology and we as parents and teachers have the responsibility to teach them the appropriate use of that technology. If we do this in their early years then the college professor would not have to worry if the students are surfing the web in class! Any college student who would do so should be allowed to fail the class, then mom and dad reap what they have sown.
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157 Posted by harvey.m5000@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse
we need phones in school they are very important
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158 Posted by t_carter71 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:26PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a high school English teacher. I personally do not have a problem with cell phones in school, so long as they remain in the students' backpacks until lunch, break, or after school. I also have a son who is a representative for Verizon Wireless, so I see cell phones in a different light. I even designed a lesson around the different cell phone companies and what they have to offer. My students learned how to read charts, maps, graphs, and other workplace documents using pamphlets from the various cell phone companies. It was a real "hands on lesson". Moderation is the key. Technology is not bad, it's the people who misuse the technology. In emergencies like Columbine it is nice to have students with cell phones who can call for help if needed.
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159 Posted by cxtina16@sbcglobal.net on Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:25AM EDT Report Abuse
Yes lets all not give our kids cell phones because when there is an emergency we would like them to be alone
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160 Posted by cynthia_defreese@sbcglobal.net on Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:21AM EDT Report Abuse
As a teacher and a parent of teenagers, I see both sides of this picture. As far as cell phones go, there is really no need for them in class at middle school and highschool. If you parent needs to contact you they can call the school (the most common "reason" why kids need to have their phone on in class). Our rule is "in the locker and off" during school hours. As far as laptops in the college classrooms are concerned. You've paid your money, if you don't want to learn that is your perogative. In the "old days" no one cared whether you showed up for class. Your grade was based on what you did - zeros were zeros. Now they limit you to 3 absences before they drop you from the class (and keep your money). Personally - I've taken many a class (and at the graduate level) that I could have read the materials and done the required work and received an "A" (another reason to prefer on-line courses). Any way - as long as they are not a distraction to students that want to pay attention, leave it alone. A word on education - yes, today's classrooms are boring to kids growing up in a tech world. With our current resources we can't begin to compete with the types of stimulations students get from their tech "stuff" at home. We do the best with what we have. Unfortunately educational technology is extremely expensive and until society is ready to step up to the plate and update schools to the current level of tech our kids have at home we have to make-do. I would love to have computer access for all of my students everyday. There are free sites and materials available over the net that have the potential to greatly enhance student learning, but until we catch up I have to share a 25 computer lab with 40 other teachers so "it ain't happenin'" so to speak. The other side - tech has so overtaken our children's lives that they can't survive without it. I'm afraid to see what will happen when there's no power, the battery is dead and there is no replacement.
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161 Posted by cws0540b2@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
The concept of education needs a change. The 19th century - learn everything on a personal level - will not work in a knowledge base system that doubles and triples yearly. No one is camable of learning it all. Basics are necessary. But only to start the education process. training the mind to think is far more important. Young people in todays schools, with technology in hand, are far advanced of their instructors. Unless the instructor uses the technology available to enhance and up grade the learning process. Young people today have a knowledge base that is absolutely fenominal. Unfortunately, they're having trouble decerning fact from fiction. That's where our educators need to be, helping them use the knowledge available to better teir world.
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162 Posted by dortizdclxvi@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:47PM EDT Report Abuse
I think the cell phone rules are great becouse I know some of my classmates are taking pictures of tests, texting each other and even talking to each other during class. On the other hand, I do not think it is appropriate to ban Laptops in classrooms. Many people, including myself, use them for notes, research, and projects. As for the people that abuse the technology, I beleive they should be banned from the Wifi Connection. The point is no matter how much the schools ban technology the more students will abuse that rule. That is my opinion, Dustin Scott Ortiz
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163 Posted by nateparham@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse
let kids keep their cellphones in class
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164 Posted by savior_of_hyrule@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse
Banning technology will be as effective as banning sweets from schools. I carry my cellphone to class every day and just keep it in vibrate. If I get a call I will check it after class or when the day's lecture is done. The only important factor is respect. Do the students respect their professors enough to not disturb class? I am positive that the percentage of people surfing the web while in class is miniscule, which only leads to the ever popular trend of punishing every one for the actions of a select few.
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165 Posted by margietuck on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:06PM EDT Report Abuse
Perhaps the FCC should extend licensing requirements to ALL radio type devices. A user who realizes bandwidth consumption is more a privilege rather than an assumed 'right of might' will be more likely to behave responsibly. I shall predict that the bandwidth allocation crisis would facilitate such legislation. Activating your cellphone's features like ringtones should come with tenure. The next (billionth?) time I hear a sound byte from Beethoven's Fifth symphony, it should envoke a feeling of respect rather than irritation. I'm not suggesting that we wrench cellphones from the hands of those who can't figure out the etiquette, but like DUI convicts, they should still be allowed a cheap moped that chirps like a text message. For anyone that doesn't believe that there's a crisis, realize that many 'digital' radio cellphones RELUCTANTLY revert to good old 'inefficient' analog operation during weak reception to avoid dropouts.
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146 Posted by gtbiddy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Technology, cell phones, or even boredom are essentially not the issue. It seems that if we want our young people to behave in a manner that is fitting to a particular social setting, then we as adults need to model that behavior. Young people appreciate people who "mean what they say and say what they mean." Cell phones are a disruption in the classroom, traffic, eating establishments, grocery store lines, etc. Adults are modeling poor behavior. Thinking about someone besides yourself is a great way to start. No one really wants to "hear" your personal conversations regardless of the location. Teaching young people what is acceptable and what is not, starts with all adult behavior, not just parenting or educators. Teachers are responsible for the learning environment, not for entertaining or baby sitting young people. Boredom is a personal attitude issue. Technology if utilized properly is a great source of learning. Cell phones are an incredible invention. Model the behavior and the results will be worthwhile.