Brian Bechard

“Schools should be places

where students are allowed to

use the tools they are

comfortable with and have

access to in order to develop

and use skills needed to be

successful and productive in

the 21st century (Engel).”

Pros of cell phones in the

classroom

Already in use by students

Various uses in secondary classrooms

Informal polls

Conduct research

Photos and Video

Most important Pro

Teach students appropriate use

34% of texting teens ages 16-17 say they

have texted while driving (Lenhart)

Cons of cell phones in the

classroom

Distraction in class

Misuse and cheating

Access for all students

Response to the Cons

Have specific learning goals and

expectations for students

Have rules in place to combat misuse

Provide alternate activities for those who

do not have access

References

Cell Phones as Classroom Tools. (n.d.). In Teaching History. Retrieved July 12, 2012, from http://teachinghistory.org/digital- classroom/tech-for-teachers/25273

Cell Phones in the Classroom. (n.d.). In Teaching Today. Retrieved July 12, 2012, from http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

Engel, G., & Green, T. (2011). Cell Phones in the Classroom: Are we Dialing up Disaster? TechTrends, 55(2), 39-45.

Lenhart, A. (2010, April 20). Teen, Cell Phones and Texting. In Pew Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved July 13, 2012, from http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1572/teens-cell-phones-text-messages

Rapp, D. (n.d.). Lift the Cell Phone Ban. In Scholastic. Retrieved July 12, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751073

Richtel, M., & Stone, B. (2009, February 15). Industry Makes Pitch That Smartphones Belong in Classroom. New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2012, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/technology/16phone.html/?_r=1