Cell Phones in Seattle Schools: Away for the Day or Away We Go?
KUOW had this story a couple of weeks back:
Now that most middle-school students have cell phones, some teachers are embracing the technology for schoolwork and to communicate with kids. Others say phones detract from learning.
Sure, they occasionally check out YouTube or Instagram during their lunch period, the friends say, but their phones mostly come in handy at school for classroom activities, like the app Kahoot! some teachers use. "It’s just like an educational game, kinda – you answer questions," Smith said. "It’s a fun way to learn, too. It’s not super-boring."
Kids who don't have phones can look over a friend’s shoulder to play Kahoot!, or sometimes use a computer.
Other times, Pomeroy said, phoneless kids "just sit there."Those thoughts encompass the three major issues with cell phone use as part of teaching and learning.
1) It could be a good use of time students might have between teaching and learning to keep them engaged (like Kahoot!).
2) However, not every kid is going to have a cell phone in middle school. That is an equity issue.
3) If a parent has given their middle school student a cell phone, CONTINUE READING: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cell Phones in Seattle Schools: Away for the Day or Away We Go?
