I have always felt that cell phones should be allowed in class subject to defined class rules and etiquette. The issues regarding felonious use or use specifically counter to global good school discipline should be dealt with at that level. Students that facilitate or instigate egregious activities via the use of cell phones on campus probably do not belong on that campus and should be offered an environment more conducive to their level of personal comportment. Serious violations of law and good order should be dealt with seriously and harshly. With the significant expansion of cell phone technology and capability I can see how cell phones would become superb resources within any classroom setting. I hate to be interrupted as does any teacher/professor but any professor who thinks that students hang on every word for a full 45 minute lecture is delusional. I can think of several ways to involve students through the use of cell phones that would be useful and fun, especially if the phone has web capability. It would be much less expensive and take less space than desk tops. You can even have your class outside of the classroom. I could have quizzes texted to me!
My next beef is with censorship. There are several world famous museums that are not accessible (censored) via the SCPS internet. As a Spanish teacher I would like to bring these resources to my class. I have traveled the world and been able to enjoy first hand these works of art. Many of my students have not been more than 200 miles away from home and the prospect of world travel is not yet a dream, but it could be if given opportunity to explore.
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I love the idea of bringing aspects from all over the world into the classroom. Some of my most memorable classes are ones that allowed me to see other aspects of life, or to see it through someone elses perspective. My Spanish 1 teacher at UCF used sites like youtube to show videos of cultural dancing, music and foods of different spanish countries, it really got the class interested and involved.
ReplyDeleteI went to class with Kaitlyn a couple weeks ago at BYU! I was surprised that during the lecture several questions came up that the professor didn't have the latest answer to and students looked up the answer and added it to the class discussion within moments. It was so interesting to see the flow of info between teacher, students and outside resources. Tim says he sees the same in his classes and he often continues to research a topic a teacher touched on and in minutes knows more about it than the teacher. What a grand world we live in!
ReplyDeleteOops forgot to note that they looked up answers and added info that they were gleaning from laptops and surfing the net during the lecture.
ReplyDeleteCell phones and their use at the university level should not be an issue. As Sandee mentioned they can be very positive. However, at the middle school or high school level they are probably just a distraction. IMHO
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