Cell+Phones+in+the+Classroom

​ ** Nicole Umstot, Tiffany Dicks, Missy Ray, Emily Fazenbaker, Eliza Kleban **

Editied By: Laura, Sara, Chelle, Brooke, and Deanna
 * Article By: Nicole Umstot, Tiffany Dicks, Missy Ray, Emily Fazenbaker, Eliza Kleban**

Although cell phones have been around for a while, they have just recently made their way into schools and classrooms. Some people use their cell phones for texting their friends, some use them only for emergencies and others use them to play games and music. Cell phones have hit hard for the school aged kids today. While cell phones are all the rage with students, many teachers have different opinions. After doing some research, there is evidence of both the positives and negatives of cell phones in the classroom. There are advantages of using cell phones in the classroom. Cell phones can be used as teaching tools. They can be used as calculators. This can be more convenient than carrying a calculator to math class. Other classes that do not have calculators handy can benefit from using cell phones as calculators. For example, in a social studies class, a student can use his or her cell phone to determine percentages of electoral votes in an election. Cell phones can also be used as digital cameras. Not all classrooms have digital cameras available to students. Students can use them to take pictures on field trips or for other projects and presentations. Using the Internet on cell phones can be convenient. Sometimes there may not always be enough computers, so students can use their wireless Internet access on their phones. Some cell phones have translation dictionaries on them, which can let students look up words quickly (Teaching Today, 2009). These are some of the positive aspects of letting students have cell phones in classrooms. There are numerous disadvantages for cell phones in the classrooms. One main concern is that they distract students. For example, students text message or play games on their cell phones during class, and it can take away from learning important material. Secondly, if a cell phone goes off in class, it disrupts the entire class. "As cell phones become more sophisticated and powerful, opportunities for cheating increase" (Shaw, 2005). An example of this could be that students could take a picture of the test in class and then send it to one of the friends who have not taken the test yet, so they know what to expect on it. On the other hand, students could take pictures of their notes on their phone and then use it during their test to cheat themselves. Another major concern is students could use their cell phone to take inappropriate pictures in locker rooms or restrooms (Shaw, 2005). Cell phones in the classroom come with a lot of disadvantages. The topic of cell phones within the classroom can be a very controversial issue. Many people, including teachers, have opposing opinions on the matter. There are many polls and statistics relating directly to the matter of whether or not students should be allowed to have their cell phones in schools. In a poll taken on the website familyeducation.com, the question was asked, “Should schools allow cell phones?” Of the 3,040 people that participated in this poll, only 16 percent responded that cell phones should absolutely not be permitted in schools. The other 84 percent of pollers responded that cell phones should be allowed, but schools should control their use and impose limitations during class time. Another poll was taken on this website asking the question, “At what age do you think it is appropriate to allow children to bring cell phones to school?” The results of this poll were much more sporadic. Six percent of the 1,025 people that responded said that cell phones should be allowed as soon as children are able to dial. This belief must be based on the idea of trying to be able to keep contact in case of emergency. 17 percent of people polled replied that cell phones are unnecessary within schools. Both of these percentages are the extreme ends of the poll. The majority of people polled, 42 percent, believe that children between the ages of 12 and 15 should be permitted to start bringing their phones to school. The final poll taken on this website asks, “Would you allow your child to bring a cell phone to school?” Only ten percent of people said that they would never allow their child to bring their phone to school. On the other hand 40 percent of the 1,203 people polled said that they would definitely allow their child to take a cell phone to school. They replied that they like knowing that they can get a hold of their child when needed. When looking at these polls, more people feel that cell phones should be in the classroom in most cases. They do not always feel that it is appropriate to be using them in the schools, but it is okay for a child to be in possession of one throughout the school day. Surely there are many other polls similar to these that always reveal the same thoughts and ideas that cell phones in schools, during certain times, are ok (Cohen, n.d.). The topic of cell phones has been a long drawn out debate for the school systems. Although there are both positives and negatives to cell phone usage, it is up to the schools to figure out what to do. Most of the positives that people come up with can also be turned into a negative. For example, one positive is being able to use cell phones as a camera for field trips. This is both a positive and a negative because taking pictures of school related activities is the good side, but yet students can take inappropriate pictures of other students. In many cases the negative sides of cell phones out weigh the positives. Everyday teachers have to deal with cell phone usage, and everyday there are going to be positive sides and negative sides of cell phones. Teachers and schools have to figure out ways to deal with this issue and regulate it to their abilities.

Works Cited:

(2009). Cell Phones in the Classroom. //Teaching Today.// Retrieved from []

Cohen, M. (n.d.). In //Cell Phones at School: Should They Be Allowed//. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2009, from [] Shaw, K. (2005). Students and Cellphones: Controversy in the Classroom. //Associated Content//. Retrieved from []


 * Cell Phones in the Classroom**

Eliza's subtopic- Introduction Although cell phones have been around for a while, they have just recently made their way into schools and classrooms. Some people use their cell phones for texting their friends, some use them only for emergencies and some use them to play games and music. It is no lie that cell phones have hit hard for the school aged kids today. While cell phones are all the rage with students, many teachers have different opinions. After doing some research, there has been evidence found of both the positives and negatives of cell phones in the classroom.

Tiffany: -Subtopic: The Negatives About Cell Phones in the Classroom There are many disadvantages for cell phones in the classrooms. One main concern is that they distract students. For example, students text message or play games on their cell phones during class, and it can take away from learning important material. Secondly, if a cell phone goes off in class, it disrupts the entire class. "As cell phones become more sophisticated and powerful, opportunities for cheating increase" (Shaw). For example, students could take a picture of the test in class and then send it to one of the friends who have not taken the test yet, so they know what to expect on it. On the other hand, students could take pictures of their notes on their phone and then use it during their test to cheat themselves. Another major concern is students using their cell phone to take inappropriate pictures in locker rooms or restrooms, according to Shaw. In conclusion, the negative aspects of having a cell phone in school outweigh the positive aspects.

Work cited: Shaw, K. (2005). Students and Cellphones: Controversy in the Classroom. //Associated Content//. Retrived from []

Nicole: -Subtopic: The Positives About Cell Phones in the Classroom There are positives of using cell phones in the classroom. Cell phones can be used as teaching tools. They can be used as calculators. This can be more convenient than carrying a calculator to math class. Other classes that do not have calculators handy can benefit from using cell phones as calculators. For example, in a social studies class, a student can use his or her cell phone to determine percentages of electoral votes in an election. Cell phones can also be used as digital cameras. Not all students and classrooms have digital cameras available to students. Students can use them to take pictures on field trips or for other projects and presentations. Using the Internet on cell phones can be convenient. Sometimes there may not always be enough computers, so students can use their wireless Internet access on their phones. Some cell phones have translation dictionaries on them, which can let students look up words quickly (Teaching Today, 2009). These are just some of the advantages of letting students have cell phones in classrooms. Works Cited: (2009). Cell Phones in the Classroom. //Teaching Today.// Retrieved from []

Emily: Subtopic: Statistics of Cell Phones in the Classroom The topic of cell phones within the classroom can be a very controversial issue. Many people, including teachers, have very opposing opinions on the matter. There are many polls and statistics relating directly to the matter of whether or not students should be allowed to have their cell phones in schools. In a poll taken on the website familyeducation.com the question was asked “Should schools allow cell phones?” Of the 3040 people that participated in this poll only 16% responded that cell phones should absolutely not be permitted in schools. The other 84% of pollers responded that cell phones should be allowed but schools should control their use and impose limitations during class time. Another poll was taken on this website asking the question “At what age do you think it’s appropriate to allow children to bring cell phones to school?” The results of this poll were much more sporadic. 6% of the 1025 people that responded said that cell phones should be allowed as soon as children are able to dial. This belief must be based on the idea of trying to be able to keep contact in case of emergency. 17% of people polled replied that cell phones are unnecessary within schools. Both of these percentages are the extreme ends of the poll. The majority of people polled, 42%, believe that children between the ages of 12 and 15 should be permitted to start bringing their phones to school. The final poll taken on this website asks, “Would you allow your child to bring a cell phone to school?” Only ten percent of people said that they would never allow their child to bring their phone to school. On the other hand forty percent of the 1203 people polled said that they would definitely allow their child to take a cell phone to school. They replied that they like knowing that they can get a hold of their child when needed. It seems that in most cases when looking at these polls more people feel that cell phones should be in the classroom. They do not always feel that it is appropriate to be using them within the schools but it is okay for a child to be in possession of one throughout the school day. Surely there are many other polls similar to these that always reveal the same thoughts and ideas that cell phones in schools, during certain times, are ok.

Cohen, M. (n.d.). In //Cell Phones at School: Should They Be Allowed//. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2009, from http://life.familyeducation.com/cellular-telephones/school/51264.html

Melissa Ray Subtopic: Conclusion The topic of cell phones has been a long drawn out debate for the school systems. Although there are both positives and negatives to cell phone usage, it is up to the school to figure out what to do. One positive is being able to use cell phones as a camera. This is both a good and bad thing. Taking pictures of school related activities is the good side, but yet taking inappropriate pictures of children is the easy access bad side. In many cases the negative sides of cell phones out weigh the positives. Everyday teachers have to deal with cell phone usage, and everyday there are going to be positive sides and negative sides of cell phones. Teachers and schools have to figure out ways to deal with this issue and regulate it to their abilities.

Tiffany- Top 3 Websites: -This website has good information about the pros and cons of cell phones in the classroom. One important benefit of cell phones in the classroom that it mentioned is that they are "useful to both parents and students when scheduling after-school activities and changes in family plans" (Shaw). Another advantage of having cell phones in the classroom is that they can be "lifesavers" in an emergency situation, which can be used to provide police with important, quick information. According to the website, cell phones have another use in emergencies, which is by contacting parents directly, students help keep school phone lines open instead of jammed with calls from worried parents. On the other hand one disadvantage that was listed was that cell phones are a distraction to students. For example, even when the rule of the school system is to "turn them off," students still can go to the bathroom to use them, or sneak using them under their books to text message. Another interesting drawback of cell phones is that not only are students using them to communicate with one another, but they can be used for cheating. The website discussed students taking pictures of tests on their phones to pass along to other students. Overall, I feel that this site had an adequate amount of information relating to the pros and cons of cell phone usage in the classroom.
 * http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/4903/students_and_cell_phones_controversy.html

-This website was a good source because it gives consequences that can be used to enforce the rules of no cell phones in the classroom. One important rule that was listed on the website that can be considered is if teachers "found a cell phone turned on during a test, students receive an automatic two grade deduction from the test scores" (Teaching Today). They can do this as long as the teachers remind everyone to turn their phones off prior to the test. I think is this rule is used in schools, if will help limit the use of cell phones because most students do not want to sacrifice their grades just to use their cell phone. Another consequence that was listed was to have students label their cell phones and place them in a basket at the beginning of class and then return them to students at the end of class.
 * http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

-This website was a good source because it uses the experiment of one classroom to test the students because they got to use their cell phones in place of laptops. It is important to see if students would do well with this in schools, or if they would take advantage of being actually allowed to use them by text messaging. This school feels that cell phones are a positive addition to the classroom because they are less expensive than computers, but have all the same important qualities that they would need in class, that a computer can access. Additionally, the students got the chance to use their cell phones to measure the hallway by taking pictures and using the calculator to find the proper calculations. The professors felt that this was a very easy and portable way to use technology, instead of "using laptops wheeled from class to class on a cart" (Unmuth).
 * http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/022009dnmetschoolphones.3ef67c7.html

Works Cited:


 * Cell Phones in the Classroom. 2009. //Teaching Today//. Retrieved from []

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 * Shaw, K. (2005). Students and Cell Phones: Controversy in the Classroom. //Associated Content//. Retrieved from

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 * Unmuth, K. (2009) //Keller's Trinity Meadows students use cellphones as classroom computer//. //DallasNews// Retrieved from

Nicole- Top 3 websites:

http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

This is a good website that gives both pros and cons for letting students use cell phones in the classroom. According to the website, after September 11, 2001, numerous districts have reconsidered letting students have cell phones in school. Parents want to be able to reach their children in case of emergencies. Lifting this ban has caused some problems though. Students send texts during class which takes their attention away from the teacher. There has also been an increased amount of bullying through text messages. There are many positive aspects of having cell phones in the classroom though. Students can use the calculators on their phones in the classroom. They can use the camera on their phone for educational purposes. Some phones have Internet access, which could be useful if there are not enough computers (Cell Phones in the Classroom). These are useful and convenient ways to use cell phones during school. It might surprise some people that cell phones can actually be useful in the classroom since most only can see the cons of them.

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/students-agree-cell-phones-in-class-are-distracting/

This article shows that even some students find other children using cell phones to be distracting. Students as well as teachers find it to be distracting when another student’s cell phone rings in the middle of class. According to the article, regardless of the classroom management technique one uses involving cell phones, it is nearly impossible to prevent cell phones from ringing in class (Weimer, 2009). It is very frustrating to the teacher and the students in the class when students are using their cell phones during class. It is interesting to see that even some students admit that using phones during class is distracting in school.

http://michigantoday.umich.edu/2009/03/story.php?id=7394

This website explains how a few schools are using cell phones as classroom computers. Educational software for cell phones that was developed at the University of Michigan is being used to turn smart phones into personal computers in two classrooms in Texas. This software lets students use Microsoft Word and Excel. The students can map concepts, animate drawings, and surf parts of the Internet as well. Many of the students using the software really enjoy it. The teachers are finding it useful and convenient. Research shows that the students are more engaged when using technology. They are hoping to expand the use of the software and use it in the future (Moore, 2009).

Works Cited

(2009). Cell Phones in the Classroom. //Teaching Today//. Retrieved from []

Moore, N. (2009, March). Cell Phones as Classroom Computers. //Michigan Today//. Retrieved from []

Weimer, M. (2009, June 16). Students Agree Cell Phones in Class Are Distracting. //Faculty Focus//. Retrieved from []

Emily's Top 3 []

This website includes the pros and cons. It also includes two polls: Should schools allow cell phones? Would you allow your child to take a cell phone to school?

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This website relates to school safety in correlation with cell phones. It discusses disruptiveness, contribution to rumors and fears, and less safe school emergency response.

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This website discusses educational advantages as well as misuse. It lists the unacceptable uses of cells phones and the serious offenses that could be made by using them.

Works Cited

Cohen, M. (n.d.). In //Cell Phones at School: Should They Be Allowed//. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2009, from http://life.familyeducation.com/cellular-telephones/school/51264.html

Lynne, B.. (2007, May. 11 ). In //Fair Cell Phone Use In Schools//. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2009, from http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/fair_cell_phone_use_in_schools

National School Safety and Security Services,. (n.d.). In //Cell Phone and Pager Usage//. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2009, from http://www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/cell_phones.html

Eliza's Top 3 wedsites

I like this article because it gives detailed opinions of the pros and cons of having cell phones used by students.

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 * Shaw, K. (2005). Students and Cell Phones: Controversy in the Classroom. //Associated Content//. Retrieved from

This website was specifically geared towards teachers and so the whole article is related completely to our topic. This is very useful to the research that we need to do on cell phones in the classroom.

In //Cell Phones in the Classroom//. Retrieved Sep. 7, 2009, from http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

This website is a little different than the rest because it deals with cell phone statistics. The statistic aspect of cell phones brings a different perspective. It tells us how many students have and use cell phones. We already know from the other two websites that cell phones in the classroom are a problem. With this new information, we know from the numbers how much of a problem it is. (2008, Aug. 27 ). In //Statistics and Cell Phones//. (chap. ComputersArticles Base) Retrieved Sep. 15, 2009, from http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/statistics-and-cell-phones-538109.html 

Melissa Ray- Top 3 websites This website was very good in stating the pros and cons of cell phone usage This site was very useful in giving information as to why cell phones are bad for the classroom. some reasons they gave were that is hinder student learning, cell phones can also create more easily spread rumors and or fears. one other reason they gave for cell phones being bad for the classroom is that it is one way that can hinder the schools safety. []
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this is one site that talks about how cell phones are a controversy and whether or not they are tools or toys

Works Cited Shaw, K. (2005). Students and Cell Phones: Controversy in the Classroom. //Associated Content//. Retrieved from [|http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/4903/students_and_cell_phones_controversy.htm]

National School Safety and Security Services. Retrieved from []

Anderson, E.(2009), Cell Phones in School: Tools or Toys?. //Lincoln Journal Star.// Retrieved from []

Eliza, Emily, Missy, Tiffany, Nicole