My school district disallowed cell phones about four years ago. This did coincide with a new principal, so as a science teacher I must point out that changing two variables in an experiment makes reaching a conclusion on the results very difficult. However, after the new cell phone policy went in place, disciplinary issues went down drasitically. I used to have to confiscate phones frequently for kids that were texting. Now, the only time a phone is an issue is if one goes off in class (maybe twice a year.) Phones are supposed to be in lockers, but if a kid has it on them and it is off, no one will know, so it is not an issue.

 

As to the issue of allowing phones, due to possible positive technological uses, I am reserved. I don't want texting distracting students. It used to, back when we allowed phones. I wouldn't care even remotely if I were recorded in the classroom. I welcome anyone, anytime as long as they don't distract my students. What I don't know is what would be gained from allowing that there aren't already tools in place to make those same gains. Maybe EKUbum will be able to give us more details later on this.

 

Our school has a similar policy on cell phone use in general, however, our teachers can give permission for students to bring them to their class if they will be used as part of the lesson. Otherwise they are supposed to be in lockers. If they don't ring or don't hang out of a back pocket, no one is doing a search.

You are saying that teachers cannot control their classroom.

 

I would say the issue is that kids have a very difficult time controlling their use of cell phones, causing teachers to waste a lot of time correcting the behavior to maintain control of their classroom.

I like knowing that I can reach my kids 24/7 and I also know that things are stolen out of lockers also. Easily. I prefer my kid to have their cellphones on them at all times.

 

Our school provides a lock to every student, but electronic devices are always "at your own risk" anyway.

There is a phone in every room of our school if they need to call out. Unfortunately, what many parents consider urgent can be communicated by a note from the secretary between class. Very few times does class actually need to be interrupted for direct contact.

CCH kids have them in class. They lose them for 3 days if caught using them. My son says he never noticed a problem.

 

A kid will lose his phone once or see his buddy lise it once for 3 days and its over.

 

TBG knows they are in her class. She doesnt have a problem because she is a hammer.

 

I do not support any school that says cell phones have to be kept in lockers.

 

So your statement above, was said without merit, or was it tongue in cheek?:idunno:

To the original post,

I wish there were more ways for teachers to embrace the technology in class. I really believe some kind of ap for formative assessment could work the same way clicker systems do, with immediate feedback for teachers and students to know if they "got it".

From what I have seen is that when teachers try to use them, it is more of a novelty than a useful tool that enhances the lesson. Therefore, the negatives still outweigh the positives of having them in class. If you come across a way cell phones are being used to truly enhance the lesson, please pm me. We are always looking for the most progressive methods of best practice.

To the original post,

I wish there were more ways for teachers to embrace the technology in class. I really believe some kind of ap for formative assessment could work the same way clicker systems do, with immediate feedback for teachers and students to know if they "got it".

From what I have seen is that when teachers try to use them, it is more of a novelty than a useful tool that enhances the lesson. Therefore, the negatives still outweigh the positives of having them in class. If you come across a way cell phones are being used to truly enhance the lesson, please pm me. We are always looking for the most progressive methods of best practice.

 

I agree. If there are ways to use cell phones for instruction that are new and innovative, while at the same time prohibiting off task behavior, I'm all for it.

I agree. If there are ways to use cell phones for instruction that are new and innovative, while at the same time prohibiting off task behavior, I'm all for it.

 

See, we are on the same page after all.

Wow, I started a topic that went on for 5 pages so far! A record for me.

So your statement above, was said without merit, or was it tongue in cheek?:idunno:

 

My point is simple. Schools should not disallow the phones to be in possession. The rule should be around using them. That's exactly what I've typed.

The only thing that you might be missing is that prior to THIS policy, students were allowed to have phones on them, they just couldn't be out in class, but they could use them between classes. The penalties for having them out were not nearly as harsh. Kids that used them between classes would forget to turn them off. I did have more trouble with them back then.

 

With that said...what point were you making again? I thought that it was that you wouldn't support a school whose policy it was to disallow cellphones on a student.

 

My point is that you seem to have the issue under control, as I would fully expect of you, even though you KNOW phones are in the classroom.

 

So tell me why they're a problem overall if they're not a problem in your classroom.

I have not read all the posts but as a teacher I will put in my two cents.

 

Cell phones are great for some things in the classroom. But, they are a huge distraction for students. Kids are addicted to text messaging, twitter, etc. They can not control themselves. We use to have a no cell phone at all from 8-3 and it was a constant battle in the classroom. The last two years we have allowed our students to check them during their 5 minute passing time and at lunch. The discipline referrels for cell phone dropped tremendously. As teachers we can have them use them from time to time but when you do you have too many that take advantage and do other things.

 

I watched a report on the news a couple of years ago about how students used cell phones to cheat on test. The next day I had a test planned and made every student put their cell phone on the corner of the desk. I had several students that had been making A's on the test that failed. They were using cell phones to cheat on their test.

 

THey can be great but for now students are not responsible or mature enough to use them in the classroom in my opinion.

I struggle to understand how a teacher or a school cannot have a rule that is strict enough that will cause the vast majority of kids to not tempt fate. TBG seems to be handling it just fine.

I struggle to understand how a teacher or a school cannot have a rule that is strict enough that will cause the vast majority of kids to not tempt fate. TBG seems to be handling it just fine.

 

Because they are teenagers.

Because they are teenagers.

 

I don't buy that. I have had 3 teenagers. They learn from their mistakes when the punishment is severe. If it's not they will continue to test the rules.

 

You are a parent?

I don't buy that. I have had 3 teenagers. They learn from their mistakes when the punishment is severe. If it's not they will continue to test the rules.

 

You are a parent?

 

Yes I am a parent.

 

Our policy is:

1st time: pick up in the office

2nd time: parent has to pick it up

3rd time: extended day

4th time: saturday school

5th time and any time after: placed in Alternative School, 5 days then 10 days and it is 5 more days each time

 

We still have kids that can't control themselves.