Can Cell Phones in Class Enhance Your Child's Learning?

In the world, cell phones have a constant role in our lives where they navigate us through our day-to-day agenda. Many people find them addictive and distracting. They are losing hope that face-to-face conversions will ever hold as much power as they once did. The small devices can hinder the social interactions of the world, but they also provide a way of living that is convenient and helpful. One place that cell phones are not wanted is the school classroom due to the chance of distraction. Although cell phones can be a distraction, schools should allow the use of phones in the classroom. They provide advanced learning and social opportunities for students.

Particularly, cell phones would allow students to access apps and websites that may be unavailable on the specific school technology. Many would say if it does not fit the school guidelines then no teacher should use it at all. Though some sources are not helpful or productive for the students, most can be used to help enhance a student’s work and make it more convenient for the students. For instance, “At Melrose High School, for example, science students use a physics app to collect acceleration data and measure sound intensity, and English students discuss literature on their smartphones. In Burlington, high school Spanish students practice language skills on their iPads by recording their speech and playing it back” (Matchan 7). Allowing a student’s device in school allows them to have their work on hand anywhere they go. This also allows them to use incredible resources not available on a school laptop. In addition, not all students are capable of having a computer at home and though many websites are accessible on both, many times it is difficult to switch from a school computer to a cell phone due to the difference in software. Though I feel cell phones should be put away during tests, quizzes, and when the teacher is instructing, these devices should be allowed to help when needed.  

Furthermore, Children use their cell phones for communication with their teachers, schools, classmates, and parents. Everyone in the world depends on cell phones as a source of communication. The teachers use phones in the classroom as well, so how is it fair to only take away students? Though many argue communication is not needed when in a classroom, this could not be further from the truth. In my personal experience, banning cell phones completely and making it difficult for students to reach their parents or other people with a simple text is wasting time and energy. For example, in Middle school, I would have to go through a long process that involved interrupting the class and wasting time just to call my mom for something. It also causes anger and hostility between the students and teachers because the students feel they are being punished and mistrusted for no reason at all. Without showing a distinct problem to the students, it is seen as a random way to have control over the children. They feel violated and mistrusted. Having this policy also takes the privacy away from the student. Not all things need to be shared and said in front of a class. Not only is this affecting the students, but is also cutting off the necessary communication between parents and the school or parents and the student. As expressed, “Transitioning all messaging between the school and parents to mobile is an excellent way to make sure parents are constantly updated with important school information. Basic information like student enrollment times, reminders for holidays and school closures, and even changes to important school policies can all be sent via mobile technology. According to the Pew Research Group, 85% of parents own cell phones, and 97% of parents live in households where at least one family member has a cellphone; electronic communications are a sure way to reach parents”(Using Mobile to Make Parent Communication More Meaningful 3). Schools use mobile ways of communication to allow easy access for students and parents. Therefore, having the cell phone in class whether on the desk facedown or in the pocket of the child during instruction, cell phones provide a simple way to communicate. Cell phones are not going away and are not a thing you can take away because of the possible distractions. There are ways to have a cell phone in class and still not have the distraction. The school and teachers can put in rules to limit this worry, but in the end, there are too many uses for a mobile device in school. 

In addition, cell phones allow the school to spend less money on school wide technology and more on other educational resources. As many of us know technology is not cheap and can add up quickly when trying to provide for a large body of students. Especially for schools who struggle with money, allowing the use of any type of device can help the need for school bought devices to decrease. This allows money to be saved and the school to use that money for other advanced resources. Kolb explains that “they’re seeing that they can be cost effective for the schools instead of having to purchase technology for students”(Kiema 5).  To spend so much money on things that are not used daily is truly a waste of resources. Although some schools are privileged enough to have a chromebook for every child, some lower income schools may not, which would lead to the need for personal devices. From personal experience at Airline not all teachers have chromebooks or can have daily access to them, This requires us to use our phones to enhance our daily learning. Also, allowing the students to use expensive equipment is a hazard in itself,due to the possibility of property damage, therefore many administrations believe allowing phones is a safe way to ensure money is not wasted. So, cell phones can be used in a limited way to allow the students' education to continue as well as ensure that they are not deeply distracted. At the end of the day schools can save money and have a smoother day without the extra stress of economic issues due to the need for school devices.

The classroom is supposed to be a space where students can thrive and enhance their learning. Part of enhancing their learning is to use new resources available and easily accessible on the cell phone. These devices allow new learning opportunities, allow strong communication for everyone, and are costing the school a lot of money for no reason. Therefore, cell phones can distract a student every now and then, but allows a more advanced way of learning and socializing.