Cellphones in School: A New Way to Learn
Introduction
Everyone has a cellphone these days. They’re more than just for calling
and texting; they’re like tiny computers that let us find information from
all over the world. But many people still think cellphones don’t belong in
school. This paper argues that cellphones can be helpful for learning, and
that letting kids use them in class can make learning more fun and
effective.
Thesis Statement: Instead of fighting against cellphones, we should
embrace them as valuable tools for learning and create a positive
environment in schools where they can be used responsibly.
Body
Why Some People Say Cellphones Are Bad Lots of teachers and parents
think cellphones are a distraction. They see kids on their phones during
class, looking at social media, playing games, or texting friends. This is a
real problem, because cellphones can be tempting and easy to get lost in.
But, if we ban cellphones, kids just hide them and use them secretly. This
makes kids feel like they can’t be trusted and makes it hard to have
honest rules.
Why Cellphones Can Be Good for Learning
Instead of fighting against cellphones, let’s think about how they can help
kids learn. Cellphones have lots of things that can make learning more
exciting and helpful:
- Finding Information Fast: Need to look up a word, a fact, or a historical
event? Cellphones let us find information quickly. Kids can find answers
fast, learn more about things, and even watch videos that make learning
easier to understand.
- Learning Together: Cellphones can make learning more interactive.
Teachers can use them for quizzes, polls, and group discussions. Kids can
also share their work, ask questions, and work together with classmates in
real-time.
- Learning at Your Own Pace: Cellphones let kids learn at their own speed
and in their own way. They can use online resources, download learning
apps, and even use their phones to make cool multimedia projects.
- Connecting Learning to Real Life: Cellphones can help kids see how what
they learn connects to the real world. They can use them to research
news, talk to experts, or even help with science projects.
- Staying Safe and Connected: In emergencies, cellphones are important
for communication. Kids can use them to call for help, talk to their
parents, or get important safety information.
Making Cellphones Work in School: Creating a Good Phone Culture
It’s true that there are things to worry about when kids use cellphones in
school. Here’s how to make it work:
- Clear Rules: Teachers need to make clear rules about how kids can use
cellphones in class. These rules should be explained to everyone and
followed all the time. Kids should know when and how they can use their
phones, and what happens if they break the rules.
- Learning Apps and Websites: There are lots of learning apps and
websites that can help kids learn. Teachers can use these in their lessons
to make learning more fun and interactive.
- Teachers Watching: Teachers need to know what kids are doing on their
phones and make sure they’re using them for learning. They can do this
by watching what kids are doing, using special tools to manage the
classroom, or even having kids share their screens with the class.
- Kids Helping Make the Rules: Let kids help make the rules about
cellphones. This will make them feel like they’re part of the rules and
more likely to follow them.
- Teachers Showing the Way: Teachers should show kids how to use their
phones responsibly in class. They shouldn’t use their phones for personal
calls or social media during lessons. This will help kids understand that
cellphones are tools that should be used thoughtfully.
Conclusion
Cellphones aren’t automatically bad or good. They’re tools that can be
used for good things or bad things. By making clear rules, using learning
resources, and teaching kids to use their phones responsibly, we can use
cellphones to make classrooms more fun, interactive, and effective. It’s
time to stop thinking of cellphones as distractions and start seeing them
as tools for learning.
References:
Aker, J. C., Ksoll, C., & Lybbert, T. J. (2011). ABC, 123: Can mobile phones
improve learning? Evidence from a field experiment in Niger. IZA
Discussion Papers, (5678).
Floyd, T. (2019). Education Awesomeness.
Juliani, A. J. (2019). The Director of Technology & Innovation for
Centennial School District.
