Teachers Now Using Cell Phones In Classes

Well, I suppose this approach is a heck of a lot easier than trying to ban them. Now if only they could get a balanced American History course in there somewhere, everyone might be pleased.

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. (AP) -- Cell phones, the subject of tugs of war between parents, teachers and students across the nation, are taking on a new role in the classroom: learning tool.

Tech savvy teachers are asking students to use their phones to record foreign language assignments, take photographs for projects and do mini-Internet searches if they have a Web browser.

That's a stark contrast to the emphasis that has been placed on prohibiting their use, often out of fear students will cheat or take inappropriate pictures then passed on to friends.

Comments

[Lisa Graas]

Um, this isn't tech "savvy". It's tech stupid. Tech "savvy" would be if an IT teacher provided phones only for classroom use. Otherwise, it will just contribute to the distraction. I agree with your take on the history. That's why I homeschool. ;-)

[PA]

Epic fail. This ends badly with the teacher's unions filing grievances to stop the practice as soon as the first teacher get fired over video evidence of their doing something dumb or illegal in class.

[Mens Health]

When I first saw this headline, I imagined teachers forced to use personal phones due to budget cuts! Great surprise to learn about innovative teaching. Of course, many comments here point out the "down side," to such activity, but I certainly doubt that this is the only activity this teacher uses to engage students. I say, "Whatever it takes!" to get students thinking about their school work and not wasting time plotting how to text without being obvious!