Should mobile phone be allowed in schools?

Everyone has facing this dilemma nowadays: should mobile phone be allowed in classroom? Surveys have been conducted toward this question; the results revealed that most parents and students, surprisingly, lean towards to agree that mobile phone could be used regularly in school.

As always, we need to weight the pros and cons when it comes to such question, and looking it from different angle. From parents’ point of view, first thing comes to their mind is the safety of their children, so it makes perfect sense to allow students carry mobile phones all the time, such that everything is under control and parents can monitor their kids, and the kids, hopefully, can report their activities regularly, no good old excuse such as “Oops, I forget my phone…”.

Other legit reasons appeared on the survey supporting these petitions are:

•Organized their schedule.
•Check grade.
•Take class note
•Read digital books

Are these reasons good enough to persuade school administrator to allow students using cell phone in school?



I would say that, especially for high school students, mobile phone could be used in school under proper supervision, such as lifting firewall and strict filter, in that way, mobile phone could be a technical tool to enhance their learning experience.

On the con side, it is completely unnecessary to give younger children mobile phone when they go to school, since most younger kids don’t do well in terms of self controlling, let alone the peer pressure, using mobile phone will sure have a negative influence on their study, and

•Distraction from curriculum
•Cheating by text message or phone calls
•Hostility (jealousy, thefts)
•Wrong usage

Technology improved rapidly in the past decade, it not only brings convenience to education, but also carries temptations to our next generation.  As an educator, teaching student how to use technology appropriately and effectively is our responsibility. Believe it or not, using mobile phone will become common in school, the soon we accept this fact and the better off we can prepare. It is not rightful to blame students for anything comes out of such technology distractions. Rather, we should prepare ourselves and take advantage of this technical advances, and eventually lead students on the right track of proper utilization.

References:

Chris, G. (Apr.4.2011) Should Cell Phones be Allowed in Classrooms? Most Parents Say Yes. [Web resource]. Retrieved from http://techland.time.com/2011/04/04/should-cell-phones-be-allowed-in-classrooms-most-parents-say-yes/

Rujuta, B. (Jan.1.2012) Cell Phones in School Pros and Cons. [Web resource]. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cell-phones-in-school-pros-and-cons.html

(Sep.20.2012) The Buzz: Cell Phones in School [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTKZ6jovfso