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How to deal with cellphones in the classroom
Smartphones are an amazing tool that benefits us in so many ways, but sometimes they can be a distraction for our students. I am trying to incorporate more technology in the classroom, but I find that in an ESL setting, we also need times when students are writing with their pen to the paper. (I actually prefer the use of laptops over smartphones in my ESL classroom, due to the fact that they offer the collaborative benefits of a smartphone without the texting/messaging distractions.)
I find that unless I have a scheduled task in which technology (cell phones) is used, they tend to become more of a distraction than a help.
For that reason, I have started using the system in the picture below to stow cell phones during class. Note: This system could also just be used on certain tasks like tests and major assignments in which cell phones are not necessary.
Imperial Over the Door 24 Pocket Hanging Shoe Organizer
To the reader, please remember that I am in an ESL setting where students need to learn the English writing system, and I am in no way condemning the use of cell phones in the class for FOCUSED activities. However, cheating, plagiarizing, and taking pictures of secure testing materials has caused me to rethink just how lax I want to be in allowing cell phones during general class time.
I hope that this solution will help some of you in your quest to balance the use of technology with traditional instruction. Proposing a balance to a completely "cell phone free" zone, I want to include this link to a site that describes all of the ways that cell phones CAN be used in the class.
Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I know that my opinion is evolving.
"Do you think we should fully embrace the use of cell phones in the class? Should we do so but cautiously? Should we fully reject their use and stick to traditional methods of instruction?"
I find that unless I have a scheduled task in which technology (cell phones) is used, they tend to become more of a distraction than a help.
For that reason, I have started using the system in the picture below to stow cell phones during class. Note: This system could also just be used on certain tasks like tests and major assignments in which cell phones are not necessary.
I don't claim to be the first to use this method. I saw it on a meme site recently and thought it was a great idea. Here I would like to also tell you how I use the system.
At the beginning of a session, I tell all students that stowing their cell phones will be the policy at the beginning of every class. I also have them put names on their slots so that I can take attendance. No cell phone in the slot, no credit for attendance.
In addition, students know that if I see them pull out an additional cell or iPod during class, they are already in the wrong and will lose participation credit. If it is a test, they will get an automatic zero and an academic dishonesty write up.
Now, students simply drop their cell phones in without question every class. No arguing, no constant reminders or unpleasant exchanges between the students and myself. They just know to put them in at the beginning of class.
These shoe organizers can be purchased through Amazon through the link below or at your local department store for $10 or less.
To the reader, please remember that I am in an ESL setting where students need to learn the English writing system, and I am in no way condemning the use of cell phones in the class for FOCUSED activities. However, cheating, plagiarizing, and taking pictures of secure testing materials has caused me to rethink just how lax I want to be in allowing cell phones during general class time.
I hope that this solution will help some of you in your quest to balance the use of technology with traditional instruction. Proposing a balance to a completely "cell phone free" zone, I want to include this link to a site that describes all of the ways that cell phones CAN be used in the class.
Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I know that my opinion is evolving.
"Do you think we should fully embrace the use of cell phones in the class? Should we do so but cautiously? Should we fully reject their use and stick to traditional methods of instruction?"
- Use Smartphones In Class, Say School Principals
The National Association of Secondary School Principals have been trying to make sense of the whirlwind that is Social and Mobile Technologies. They have just released a position statement, summarizing their thoughts on the matter ? and it is surprisingly...
- Mobile Phones: The E-readers Of Choice In South Africa
Our m-Ubuntu project in South Africa hits the news in USA! I have blogged about m-uBuntu before ? a growing family of schools in South Africa who are using ?cell phones? to transform how they teach. We have been out there a few times, and were very excited...
- The Mobile Web Is Alive And Well ... In Africa!
We know the take up of mobile phones in Africa has been way faster than ever expected: 18 months ago, there were already more mobile than fixed-line phonesmany more people have access to a mobile phone than a landline onemobile networks are sidestepping...
- Free Sim Cards?
if, like us, you have a lot of mobile devices hanging around for trialling and testing, you will also be familiar with the pain of SIM swapping. (picture the scene. You have 10 different phones you need to test your new phone game on. Each of the phones...
- More Mediaboard-style Action
At the risk of sounding a bit like a stuck record, I still think the apex of creative, constructive, empowering mobile learning with ANY phone is all about sending and sharing media. I tend to go an about the mediaBoard, in this regard, but I only just...