In 2006 the then Minister of Eduction spoke of the need to use technology in education and that, cell phones were part of the new technologies. Thus, instead of a ban she suggested that proper rules and regulations should be put in place to ensure proper usage.
In 2008 it was reported that a seminar on juvenile delinquency at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lounge at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine revealed that Secondary school students are selling sexually explicit footage of themselves for as little as $5. These sex videos involving the students are transferred to the customer via cellphone bluetooth. However, the research unit focused on the issue being more of a social problem rather than a technology issue.
In 2010 the Harvard Education Letter published an article that encourages the use of cell phones in the classroom. Actually this article advocates that it is the most commonly owned technology and that a greater percentage of the student population has access to their own personal cellphone every year.
Gillard (2010) also reported success stories that used cell phones in their literature and math lessons. She even spoke of the growing popularity of smart phones and that many students prefer these to laptops.
This article spoke of the need to harness what you have and that students prefer the smart phones as it allows immediate access. Yes, microwave babies.
Anyhow, I am on the fence as I know that we have not fixed our social issues or put things in place. So what do you think of cellphones; problems or opportunities?
References used in post:
Gillard, C. (2010). “Dumb” phones, smart lessons. Harvard education letter, 26 (4). Retrieved from: http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/474
Jeremiah, K. (2008, February 20) Porn for sale: students cash in on sex in the classroom. Trinidad Guardian. Retrieved from: http://news.bn.gs/article.php?story=20080220133252158
Taitt, R. (2006, May 26). No cell phone ban in schools. Trinidad Newsday. Retrieved from: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,38041.html
Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteAs with everything else related to technology, students must be taught responsibility with respect to their phones. Students will only become idle if they are unsupervised or have nothing focused, relevant or constructive to do. The way I see it, a smart phone can supplant a laptop or desktop in the classroom because they have similar features such as web- access, e-mail and access to educational software. They also have a dual function as a camera so they are ideal for creating photo-stories, podcasts and organizing schedules and homework. Texts can also be exchanged between teacher and student in a meaningful way. It is the most readily available technology that most students personally own so the key is to make it work for them (and teachers) within the educational setting. They are definite opportunities!