Cell phones have improved a lot since their early inception. Subsequent generations of mobile phones continue to evolve and become more affordable and portable, offering more value to everyone. Phones have improved from being flip phones with little quality, besides calling and texting, to smartphones with Internet access and great cameras. Today, everyone relies heavily on modern technology for communication which means cell phones are a good necessity of life, especially for high school and college students. Therefore, I agree with not banning cell phones in schools. Cell phones have many different useful aspects in a learning environment.
One aspect would be teaching students a sense of responsibility. Every student knows that they shouldn’t use their cell phone to text in class, play games, or cheat. Therefore, teachers should put rules into place on when to use their cell phones. They could tell the students to place their cell phones on the teacher’s desk until the test is over or just turn them off. Phones and tablets should be used for educational purposes only in the classroom. Students could do research for open discussion questions inside the classroom or download an app that provides extra information on a difficult topic. This teaches students how to use their cell phones responsibly.
Another aspect of cell phone use in schools would be a sense of security. Most students need a cell phone to contact their parents in case of an emergency. If a student forgot their homework, they could call or text their parents to bring it to school. In a more serious emergency, like a school threat or shooting, cell phones could connect students with worried parents. Students can also contact their parents if the school has closed because of a natural disaster or any other abrupt case. And with so many predators on and off campus, every child needs their cell phone in case someone tries to kidnap them.
Cell phones can also be used as reminders. Considering students take more than one subject daily there are a lot of assignments that have to be finished on time. Mobile application remind101.com can help students remember to submit specific course work, know when a test will be done, know when a teacher will be in class, and help teachers be in touch with their students and parents. If that isn’t a good reminder, there is a calendar that comes with every phone. With a calendar the student can save phone memory as well as record when a homework assignment or major project is due.
The most frequently used aspect of having a cell phone in school is the use for educational purposes like research, calculators and projects. Personally, I know this is when I use my cell phone the most. When all of the desktops are taken or the Wi-Fi won’t connect to my personal laptop I turn to my phone. It’s smaller then a desktop but a cell phone is portable. I know I don’t have to sit in one spot for hours to complete an assignment. I also know if I’m in my college algebra class but forgot to bring my calculator, I have one on my phone.
The use of cell phones in schools are not a bad idea. The only bad aspect of cell phones during school would be causing a distraction to others but as I stated before, teachers should set rules pertaining to when the students can have their phones out. We live in a world of technology and cell phones play a useful and important part in the world. Cell phones improve communication and encourages students to be responsible for doing the right thing. Teachers and administrators should eventually accept the fact that cell phones are a useful tool that should be incorporated in our schools.