Cell Phones in Schools

I know there are more and more people with cell phones everyday. Many people depend on them for business and communication with family members. With the current wireless providers continuing to expand, there are few places left where cell phones can not be used. One place where I feel they should not be used is in schools.

Sometimes when I'm out shopping I see young girls and boys with cell phones, who are barely old enough to be out of elementary school. Because of the rising number of students (in all grades) with cell phones, this is an important issue to consider.
Some people may give excuses as to why they should be allowed. Some include parents being able to reach their children in a time of emergency, or the students contacting the parents. To this I say, "That's what the school is for." The principal's and dean's offices are there for students and parents when one or the other needs to be contacted in an emergency. Although a cell phone could be faster, it is also a distruption in class. If we were to allow cell phones for emergencies, students would then be allow to call them all the time (because who can predict when an emergency situation will occur?). This then presents a distraction to students and to teachers. Cell phones can be used to play games during class or to cheat on homework and tests.

Some people fear that cell phones make it easier for gang members to collaborate during the school day. Although I do not see this as the biggest issue, it is also another point to consider.
There are one or two exception that I would allow in my classroom/school. If there is a family trauma (i.e. an expected death in the family, an on-going helth concern, etc.), a cell phone may be allowed. This is something that would have to be discussed with the principal, tecahers, parents, and students to find an agreement that works.

So, turn them off, and leave them in your locker/purse/briefcase, or leave them at home.

Why do we teach?

I think the most important reason we teach is to give students the tools theye need to become a successful individual. We teach them how to think for themselves, how to problem solve, and how to participate in a group, whether in a job setting or in society. Especially in secondary education, I think we also teach becuse we find something that is really interesting to us, and we want to share that with other people, so that they have the chance to find something that they really love too.

I would define school "work" as the things students do to practice the skills we intend to teach. It is the practice of problem solving indicidually and cooperatively. Some people may think much of school "work" is "busy work", but I think the more important lesson to be learned is responsibility and determination. I feel that the student "learning" comes both from the school "work", and the experiences and connections made in and out of the classroom. Learning comes when sudents can link what they were just taught or read to something that they already knew, and in turn, have found a new application.

I think good teaching is helping students to find connections. I think it comes from carefully considering students' different ideas and asking them questions to promote thinking in ways different from what they are used too. Good teaching is not giving students the answers, but guiding them to find through questions and suggestions. In my mind, a good teacher is some one who says, "That's a good question. I don't know the answer. Let's find out together? What do you think about...?"