Incorporating Cell Phone Use in the Classroom

Relinquishing the “no cell phone” policy can seem daunting. It is much easier to have a blanket rule for the classroom that eliminates cell phones from being used. However, at what point do we as educators reverse the system from one of punishment to one of resourcefulness? If the educational community believes that incorporating technology into the classroom will lead to a diversified set of skills, then it is negligent to deny the fact that learners are walking around with tools in their pockets allowing access to a vast wealth of information and resources.

Reverse the Trend: A Case Study

Being sent to San Quentin, a high security men’s prison in Marin County California, is intended to be an extreme punishment. However, a very interesting thing has happened in California; the gangs that reside in this state have turned this “punishment” upside down by viewing San Quentin Penitentiary as the Harvard of prisons. A person doing time in San Quentin earns veneration and respect from his peers. Basically, the system of punishment has been reversed. The inmates have taken society's structure and re-worked it to suit their own needs.

While I'm not suggesting that your classroom is similar to a high-security prison, I am saying that we can take this same principal and figure out how to apply it to classroom rules and expectations. An essential aspect of maintaining an effective learning environment is a well-managed classroom with a clearly understood set of rules, and every rule we make is one that we have to maintain. As cell phones have moved from luxury to necessity in our society, many teachers are conflicted as to what role they can play in the classroom. As you sit to plan this school year, I urge you to consider the inmates of San Quentin and ask yourself, "How can I reverse the system to work in my favor and turn that annoying toy into a useful education tool? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Technology: Toy or Tool?

Every student has a cell phone in his/her pocket or backpack. While some teachers view this as an annoyance, the time has come to accept the fact and incorporate this useful tool into the classroom. This is not a push to allow pupils to kick up their feet and peruse social media while you teach to the top of their heads. Instead, create an environment where technology is incorporated into the classroom allowing for fluency within the lesson. Here are some tools to help you achieve this in your classroom:

• Tool: Dictionary and Translator: The number one way to increase vocabulary in any subject is through reading. However, many students will not ask the teacher for a dictionary if they come across a word that they do not understand. This defeats the purpose of reading to increase vocabulary or even subject comprehension. Allowing learners to use the dictionary on their phone is a quick and reliable substitute for this problem. A similar tool could be applied for ELL pupils often too scared or embarrassed to ask for the meaning of a word. Being able to use the translator on their phone is a powerful tool that could lead to amazing strides in language development.

• Tool: Poll Everywhere: Looking for new and exciting ways to check for understanding? This application is easily set up on any device. Instructors are able to set up quick polls, quiz questions, or any other variety of ways to check for understanding. Learners use their own device to work either individually or in groups to quickly respond to the questions put forth. This provides immediate feedback that can be synthesized by the teacher in a number of ways.

• Tool: Research: With the emphasis being placed on non-fiction articles and research in the Common Core, it will become increasingly important for students to be able to access information throughout their day. Not every school or classroom has access to computers as often as necessary. It would be imprudent to pretend that learners are not carrying computers around in their pockets. Research can be conducted in a number of ways on their cellular device or tablet.

Related Resources:

Beyond Snapchats and Selfies, The Paperless Classroom, The Impact of an Image