Comments on: Slide – Banning students’ computers

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Scott- I know what you are trying to say with the slide and in theory, I agree agree with you. The practical reality of high school (and even grad school) is that most student use their cell phones to text their friends or to make phone calls. From anecdotal observation, I see very few kids using phones for academic research, academic photography, or academic messaging for collaboration on a topic.

I think the issue here is not so much the tools. The tools (phone and computer) have limitless possibility. The issues are access, distraction, the lack of ability for students (both teen aged and adult) to “be in the moment”, digital divide in terms of no schools are providing data plans for kid’s phones so only those that can afford $30 or more a month have the access in the first place, adults and students alike becoming to the point of rude where they refuse to engage with a teacher or instructor because they are too focused on their handheld….the list goes on.

I argue that before we put any tools in the hands of any learners, discussion and group consensus is require to agree for how he tools will and won’t be used.

By: Scott B.

Scott B. — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I am a 7th grade science teacher and recently allowed students to bring their handhelds(cell phone/ipod touch) for a science investigation. I talked to the students ahead of time and we established a “circle of trust” for using personal devices in my class. There were no problems. I am realistic to the fact that problems will happen, consider them teachable moments. We don’t ban pencils when they are misused!

By: Chuck Pearson

Chuck Pearson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Here’s the thing though – is the “computer” they bring with them a USEFUL computer? Most cell phones aren’t iPhones or Google Android devices…and even the computing ability of THOSE devices is neutered by all the contractual agreements…

Even IF you have useful cell phone/computers in the student’s hands, Barry’s point above still stands…

By: Scott McLeod

Scott McLeod — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Thanks for the pushback / feedback. How much of the issue of students’ non-use of cell phones for academic purposes is an EDUCATOR issue, not a STUDENT issue?

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

“How much of the issue of students’ non-use of cell phones for academic purposes is an EDUCATOR issue, not a STUDENT issue?”

While there may be some educators who do not/cannot see the phone as a tool regardles of its application, I would argue that the problem lies more with the students then the teacher.

Case in point: I assume we can agree that a laptop is a useful tool and most teachers would agree. All too often, teachers have a pre-discussion wit the class, present an engaging lesson with goals, a chance for kids to explore and create, and do some self directed learning…and teachers still have to resort to hyper-vigelence or software (like SMART-eyes) to keep kids from going off an playing games, watching YouTube videos, or checking their Facebook page. Whose fault would that be?

By: Chuck Pearson

Chuck Pearson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Part of how I made my hay in academia is taking computer software that had one purpose in macromolecular simulation and basically twisting the everlovin’ dickens out of the stuff to make it do what I wanted it to do. I built everything for my teaching demonstration at my current employer from lab gear available on-site. I know from taking stuff as it is and using it, both in research and in teaching.

You have a small fraction of students in the college environment (to say NOTHING of the secondary school environment) who have cell phones CAPABLE of doing anything useful in terms of information retrieval and manipulation. Most of those cell phones have data plans that cost $N dollars per month, where N is a number far greater than I’m willing to pay on my assistant professor’s salary. I don’t think a school district is willing to pay that kind of money either.

And again: the data plans are not universal internet. You’re locked into what the provider says you can visit, with the tools that the cell phone maker allows you to download. Somebody can correct me if I’m wrong, but open-source software for cell phones is something I don’t think exists.

Educator v student isn’t the question here. There isn’t a manufacturer or service provider who has academic purposes in mind. Many of them don’t even really have business purposes in mind. The fact that the iPhone is useful for business is a happy accident; that wasn’t the purpose in its design. And the Blackberry is more and more of a social tool and less of a practical one all the time…

Sorry, there are so many great ideas here, but this one just strikes me as bull…

By: Scott B.

Scott B. — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Here is an idea. Cell phones often have picture/capabilites and they are a great way to record data during a science experiment. Several phones also have voice recorders. How about showing a student a educational purpose for a cell phone–the business world does it!

By: Shelly

Shelly — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

This is a classroom management issue.

See http://www.teachpaperless.com for ideas and ongoing discussion.

By: Jenifer

Jenifer — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

This will be an ongoing problem as long as we continue to expect that students be quiet and listen for the majority of the class period. How about embracing the technology and creating in-class projects and assignments that require the use of the cell phone or laptop as Scott did in his class? It may not be feasible on a daily basis, but most kids would welcome the opportunity to use their phones and then would respect a teacher’s request to put them away when they are not educationally appropriate. That can be addressed at the beginning of the year.

By: Louise Maine

Louise Maine — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

After frustration of students taking pictures of every science experiment in my class (2-3 labs per week) and only having one camera to use, I asked for permission for students to use their phones. Students and I had a long discussion of expectations, etc. They have been wonderful. Some can text or email to a class flickr or their individual account to retrieve. We also use SD readers if needed. It has freed up time and increased creativity.