cellular learning

From personal conversations, I have heard administrators and others say that cell phones have no place in the classroom.  In fact, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City said regarding cell phones in school, "They just don’t belong in the classroom any more than they belong, you know, than you should beg in texting when you’re driving. That one’s dangerous for your life" (New York Post, 2009).  When I hear comments like this, I can’t help but want to sit down with individuals like this to show them the great potential of mobile devices like the cell phone in learning.  To show them, when used correctly, that cell phones are more than just tools for bullying, distraction, drug deals, sexting, etc.  I could go on with all the dangers that I have read or heard over the past several months.

I believe that many of these issues can be addressed with proper planning by teachers and administrators.  Many of these issues can be made into teachable moments.  As I have worked with my students over the past month, I have seen their excitement to participate.   I have seen evidence of their growth as they have learned to write about their mathematical work but also to review their peers’ work.  I have never seen a group so engaged and interested in each others comments.  Everyone is participating in an amazing level. 

Skeptics need to the potential that I see in my students.  To see that achievement is possible.

Soloway and Norris once wrote, “Educators can continue to be enforcers, battling with students over mobile devices wasting a unique opportunity in time.  Or educators can make their scarce dollars by ultimately having students use their own devices for school work.”  (taken from The impending mobile mega-disruption, District administration, 44(8), 20-24.  January, 2009)

This is a choice that all educators need to be aware of and not run from.  Our youth are using mobile devices in ways never anticipated by those who created them.  We as educators need to embrace cell phones and use them to foster growth and learning.