First of all, if you don't know what a conundrum is, go look it up at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conundrum.
Then, check out the article "6473 Texts a Month, But at What Cost?" at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29328966/page/2/.
Finally, share your thoughts on this important topic right here on the blog. Schools all over the country are struggling with this issue, so it's a very important dialog that needs to happen among administrators, teachers, parents and students. So I'm hoping some people from all those groups get into the discussion.
Here's the question you should consider and address: When it comes to cell phones, how can schools best serve their students to maximize learning and prepare them for the 21st century?
14 comments:
i polled my first period class...
3 choices for what to do about cell phones at bshs
zero chose to keep the status quo
10/10 chose to modify the school policy to allow cell use, but not during class
all students recognized the problems with texting etc but felt that the school policy was unfair
all students had a cell phone
all students admitted to using their phone during school
8/10 admitted to using it during active classtime
students said that roughly 2/7 of their teachers strictly enforced policy, the rest tolerated texting at times of inactivity(beginning, end of class)
interesting
:)
chenoweth
As a teacher who does enforce the cell phone rule, I see it as very rude when a student is using his or her phone in class, but I recognize the continuous struggle to monitor phone use isn't working. It's telling that the status quo isn't working for ANY of us, including students.
I think that the article's points about how texting changes writing are extremely interesting; research shows the most literate/articulate people can move between many "languages". Texting is clearly what NCTE refers to as a 21st century literacy.
Is it education's responsibility to help students learn to speak respectfully and responsibly in any language they use? Is there a way to shift the status quo to reflect that kind of learning?
Just wondering what kids and teachers think...
I love synchronicity!
Check out this article in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, "New Slant on Writing Encourages Participation." It's at "New Slant on Writing Encourages Participation.".
It discusses 21st century literacies, and how the acts of facebooking, emailing, and texting are participatory, authentic types of writing. One researcher discusses how it's counterproductive to "try to erect a firewall between the writing students do outside of school and in school."
Still wondering what others think...
Mr. Chenoweth, it's good to know that students understand the problem well enough to be reasonable in creating a solution. I would be interested in gathering more data like this...please keep asking your classes.
Ms. Morris, in answer to the 2 questions in your first post, I say yes and yes! It will require all of us in education to let go of some of our old thinking about what education is and how it should be delivered. We say all the time that we have to meet students where they are, but how often do we actually do it?
I believe that we, the students, should be able to text at the beginning and end of class. Teachers have to take attendance at the beginning of class, and toward the end most teachers let you do your homework, talk, etc. So why shouldn't students be allowed to text during "their time"? Our time would also include between classes and at lunch. Most of my teachers aren't very strict on the school policy of "no phones". I'd say about 3-7 of my teachers are really serious about the "no cell phone policy". I do understand the teacher’s point of view on cell phone use. Cell phone use during class does cut off from the student’s full potential of learning, so that is why we should tweak the policy and make it better for both sides (the teachers and students).
As a student at BSHS I can personally tell you no matter how much one or all teachers try to inforce the no cell phone use policy kids are still going to use them. There is a way around everything. I think that the students should be allowed some slack when its comes to cell phones. Does it really matter if someone is texting between classes, before classes, or at the end of class? I think if the teacher is done teaching that it should be allowed. I also see the other side to this problem. I do think it is rude when you are talking to someone and they are just texting away on their phones. I just think that teachers are way too harsh on us students about the whole cell phone thing.
I think honestly cell phones should be allowed at school. We all use our cell phones any way. Even though we know we are no suppose to. Even teacher use them, but then go and take ours. It is not fair how some teachers do that. Since we the students are growing up in this texting age it should be somewhat allowed in school. The school wants to upgrade into 21 century learning then they need to let us have some sort of cell phone use. Since cell phones and texting are indeed a bid part of the 21 century. I do not think that cell phones should be used during teaching, but perhaps once the teacher is done the lecture if the students stay on task, but cell phones should be fine if it is inbetween classes or before or after class starts.
Dear Mrs. Stotler:
I feel that the article brought out a good point. People can be as addicted to texting as they can be to a drug or alcohol. I think that everyone should consider if they can leave their cell phones at home for a day without withdraw. If you do you need help. As far as school policy, I feel our policy now isn't working. I think that you should be able to use cell phones in between classes and when not in instructional time. I feel that this would cut down on the usage in class and reduce the amount of referrals. If given the extra time to use cell phones, the punishment for referrals must be greater than before. I also feel that if you are texting in class you can't be concentrating on the task you should be focusing on.
Dylan Beddow
Obviously, the current cell phone policy at BSHS isn't working. Students know they aren't supposed to text in school, but they do it anyway; there really isn't anything the teaching staff or administration can do to stop them. Personally, I don't understand why there is so much controversy surrounding this issue. Students should be allowed to text at ALL times throughout the day, excluding testing times. Texting doesn't disturb anyone in the class (unless, of course, the text message is being sent to someone else that's in the same room as the texter). Sure, students grades may suffer as a result of texting during class, but is the school really responsible for protecting students from themselves? If high school is meant to prepare kids for college and the "real world", shouldn't they learn to realize the consequences of their actions? I think so.
I think that allowing the the use of cell phones in schools would help maximize the learing and preparing for the 21st century. So much technology is being used these days why not take advantage of the use of cell phones for learning. By doing this both students and teachers would be happy. The privalege of cell phones could also be used as a leverage of behavior. That way students would also learn rules and boundries. By doing these things you can maximize learnig and prepare students and teachers for the 21st century.
-Korinne Cowles
I think that students should be able to text at the and end of class when the teacher is done teaching. Although Teachers still have to take attendance at the beginning of class, so i think it wouldnt hurt if we texted while they were taking attendance. Texting should be allowed at lunch, i dont see why texting would effect our ability to eat if thats what the teachers are worried about. Like Griff said, only like 2-3 of my teachers actually enforce the cell phone policy but some kids still know how to text without looking. I do agree that it is rude to text when a teacher is talking and students often lose focus on thier assignments while doing so. The policy should be made to make the students and teahcers both happy without going too far with this issue.
Amen Mark Carter!!!!!!!!!
I personally feel every time one of my fellow peers pulls at a cell during a lecture a sudden impulse to just snatch it from them (or more violent impulses). These are the same students who seem so 'confused' when the finals come about. One cannot text while listening to a lecture, sorry to tell you that. I believe there's much value in the 'non-active' class time use policy, this means that students would be able to keep up with any sudden schedule changes, and not annoy their peers during a lecture. I also think its important for teachers to bear in mind students aren't always giggling and sending nonsensical messages; some are about athletic meetings, or when a certain paper for another class may be due. There's no harm in letting cell phones be used during nonactive class time, it's just BEYOND annoying when students do it DURING class.
It's a problem everywhere, not just in classrooms. It's very similar to language appropriateness. Not similar, it is the same thing. If we are teaching our student/children when do use appropriate types of language, ie your interview talk vs everyday talk, during specific, appropriate moments, then texting would also apply. What we are seeing now is that professionals are now texting, tweeting, and status updating during meetings and conferences. In short, I think school systems have to find a way to teach technology appropriately and responsibly.
Post a Comment