Cell Phones In School: Two Thumbs Down

http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/fair_cell_phone_use_in_schools

With the widespread use of cellular phones in today's society, there arises a question: Should cell phones be allowed in K-12 schools? Supporters of phones in schools claim that students can provide feedback to one another through text messages, can take photos of notes that they are unable to write down, and can contact someone quickly in case of emergency. However, many critics, myself included, believe that cell phones are counter-productive in schools. Students may either text test answers to others in class, conduct matters that have no affiliation with the school, or may just be inattentive during class. In my high school, students were not allowed to have cell phones. Every classroom was equipped with a telephone that would suffice in case of an emergency. Furthermore, students would often text each other answers to quizzes or tests, which really upset me. There will always be places for cell phones in society, just not in the classroom!

Image used with permission from Mykl Roventine at flickr.com