Cell Phones Should Be Allowed Inside The Classroom to Aid in Studying

Technology is rapidly growing in seconds, dominating all over in the world’s interest. One of the most popular things we have today is cell phones. Almost everything we need is on that one small gadget. Having the access to technology that one can take with wherever makes things much easier. Having access to speedy internet makes learning much faster and more fun. So why are schools not taking advantage of something that could make things more simple for them and most importantly help students learning abilities? Technology should be used as an educational tool in schools.

Cell phones in the classroom is a great tool for learning. It makes learning more efficient, and since technology, and cell phones are more trendy now days, students would seem to catch on much quicker if they were to have an interest in it. Just like it is easier for one to catch on to a new catchy Pop song, they are more likely to remember it faster. This would apply the same to learning while students get to use cell phones in school. Why not take advantage of what is new, and popular going on in the world, and apply that to help students learn more, and quicker. One way to do that is “other teachers use technology as an aid to classroom learning. I've seen students use smartphones to look up information, take notes, take pictures of PowerPoint slides or check online dictionaries in an English or foreign language class.

Some of my teachers have even designed class activities that use cellphones, such as a game where students text their answers to review questions to a website” (Maddison Barrington 1). Having these experiences will make learning and even studying much easier. Teachers could use games like “Kahoot” for reviews for tests. While they show students a question, students would answer through their phones anonymously. It actually makes reviewing fun rather than having to go through the study guide by oneself at home. That case in particular makes it easier to ask questions if one does not know an answer to a question. Students would get it right there on the spot rather than having to wait till next class day to ask- if they even remember the question.

Secondly, it is so much nicer and visually clearer taking pictures of notes. Sometimes one’s own notes might get too messy for those who are not as organized as others. Even if one is organized and efficient with taking notes, one might get overwhelmed with how much notes they are writing down. Is this too much information? Will this all be on the test or quiz? A solution to that is taking pictures of the notes on the board or power point the teacher has applied for the student with one’s cell phone. When at home looking back at notes, and seeing that picture, information could possibly be easier to encode.

In classes like History, one might think was boring or classes that hold much harder information, with using cell phones, students will engage in participation, and learn by being able to use their cell phones when say, asked a tough question. It is easier to type in the phrase one would want, then it is to flip back and forth in one’s textbook. Majority of students would rather know the answer in a matter of seconds or a minute then spend about ten minutes trying to find the answer. Though some textbooks are out of date, the internet has much more of a current atmosphere. All students learn differently. Teachers will work with many students who are visual learners, kinesthetic learners, auditory learners, and read- write learners.

Having these types of learners, a cell phone can adapt to that learning style if a teacher cannot shift their teaching style to all students in a classroom. The reason it can adapt is because the cell phone is packed with many programs such as million different types of apps- calculator, calendar, and more. The cell phone has sound so one could hear from it. It is is visibly and literally in your hand, so instead of following along with constantly looking up on the board or screen, and fading out, one has it all right in their hand, and is less likely to stay concentrated. Also, the student can go back and forth from looking at the cell phone from reading to writing down notes. A cell phone is used to be flexible and can be a powerful educational tool.

In most cases, parents do not agree on cell phones. Lee states that “certainly most parents would suggest the distraction of cellphones is inappropriate at school.” Although parents are not at school with their children they do not actually know what is going on, or not clear on the rules that are being provided about cell phones being used in school. With many things going on in school “the distraction factor is obvious - a phone ringing in class or students text-messaging one another, the modern version of passing notes in class” (Beck 1). Reasons for these is why there are implied strict rules the students must follow.

If they choose to not follow the rules then there will be consequences. Cell phones should only be used in the classrooms when they are told to be pulled out from their backpacks in a learning environment. Rules like cell phones are allowed to be in the lunchroom or in the hallway is acceptable. When it comes to the learning environment in class, cell phones must be off and put away when the bell rings. Cell phones really are no distraction to the learning environment unless students abuse the policy. Being able to use cell phones in school is a privilege that the administration thinks these young adults are capable of using at the appropriate time.

Using cell phones as educational tools in school should be permitted because there are many factors of advantages. Students and teachers could easily take this into consideration, and try it. Students are more likely to participate when is comes to using a modern day current thing in the world. It piques a major interest in students. Learning can be fun and more inspiring to students if they are given the chance to use cell phones as educational tools.