Cell Phones in Schools

By age I barely make it as a digital immigrant, but after reading several articles about cell phones as learning tools in schools, I think I might be more a digital immigrant than I thought. I love how technology has improved my lifestyle, but I am leaning more to the phrase "moderation in all things." When I was a substitute teacher in a high school in Cedar City I was amazed at how prevalent cell phones were in school. It seemed like everyone had one and was racing to get into the halls after class so they could call or text their friends. In my opinion modern technology is emphasizing the "me" generations poor communication and social skills. Technology is taking the place of wholesome social connections, manners, as well as learning.

Children now are not learning to deal with social issues. When they are having an argument with a friend they don't have to deal with the problem anymore, instead they just have to hang up or delete a text without reading it. Children aren't learning proper social etiquatte. I can't tell you when the last time I went to a movie without an LCD sceen shining in my eyes or gone to the grocery store without thinking someone was talking to me instead of the bluetooth in their ear.

After talking about classroom management in my teaching classes, I see how cell phone distractions take away from student learning time. Classroom management is quite the chore already and adding cell phones to the picture.... well let me just say that I don't think it makes it easier. Many people recognize cell phones as a wonderful tool that would add in teacher/student connections and teaching students through something that relates to them, but in this particular case, I think the negative outways the positive.

Most schools are already equipt with calculators, cameras, computers, internet. I don't know why cell phones need to take the place of all of these. Schools are fighting to regulate internet use in schools already, bringing cell phones into the picture where every student can easily access the internet seems like a catastophy waiting to happen. We don't allow these same students to drive until they are 16 (and even then I think most people agree that they don't want to be on the road near a 16 year old driver). My opinion is that most students are not responsible enough to use cell phones responsibly in schools.

Lastly, with the way public school systems are set up, if cell phones become a part of school curriculum, there may come a day that school districts will have to supply cell phones for students that cannot afford them. I feel that this extravigance is totally unreasonable. To understand more about my reasoning, let me share an e-mail I got the other day.

Financial planning 101 for our elected officials

You have 2 families... "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have 2 parents, 2 children and live in California .
"Joe Legal" works in construction, has a Social Security Number, and makes $25.00 per hour with payroll taxes deducted.
"Jose Illegal" also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Joe Legal.. $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week = $52,000 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax. Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.
Jose Illegal... $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week = $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays for Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage .. $1000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.00.
Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money to be eligible for Food Stamps or Welfare so Joe Legal pays for food... $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps and Welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000.00 per month = $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal is now in the hole -$4,769.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy, which entirely pays his rent of $500.00 per month = $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays and gets a part time job after work to make ends meet.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family..
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get free government sponsored lunches.
Joe Legal's children go home after school. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program which, again, is provided free of charge.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire Services, but Joe Legal paid for them and Jose Illegal did not pay.