What do we do about cellphones in a school context? Do we ban it or embrace it as an educational tool?


The tendency in our country (and pretty much world wide) is to ban the use of cellphones in schools. They complain about the disruptive ringing of phones in their classes, learners using their phones to share test answers as well as learners distributing compromising photos and videos of fellow learners (and even teachers) . We know that we are dealing with a new generation of "thumb tribe" learners who can Mxit in their pockets while listening to lessons (Mmmm....)

Then there is the personal safety concern of learners being mugged outside of schools for their cellphones. Media coverage of learners being kidnapped after giving out personal information as well as more recent "slut-lists" making the round on Mxit, implores us to take the general use of cellphones (in or out of schools) more seriously. Isn't it our jobs as educators to educate our learners about save use practices and can we do this if us ourselves are not informed?

So let's get the debate going, voice our fears and more importantly start using the tools ourselves so that we can be informed, prepared and educated!

Here is a poll, that started in the US (I have heard that we are lightyears ahead of them as far as cellphone techynology is concerned) which shows that cellphones worldwide is banned from schools. Feel free to cast your vote, it is truely a global issue....

Some tools:

• Mxit
• Nimbuzz
• 2go

Some articles to get the discussion going: Please tag with "cellphones"

• Mxit in the classroom - cell phone Assignment
• Cell Phones at School: Nuisance or Necessity?
• Cell Phone Use In School
• Cellphones in Schools?
• Teacher Cell Phone Use at School
• Cell Phones at School: Should They Be Allowed?
• New cell phone rules eyed to protect kids
• Crafting A Workable Cell Phone Policy (Great starting point!)
• Brilliant Blog: Must read.... http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/
• Cellphones as learning devices (Local)
• Nimbuzz Instant Messaging in the classroom

Some examples of how teachers/learners are using cellphones in the classroom:

• Thutong learning objects created by learners

Some discussions (Please feel free to create your own):

• The "against cellphones" argument
• The "For cellphones " argument
• Use of Mxit in the classroom
• Mxit – Educating grown-ups
• Creating an AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) for cellphone use in schools

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/3065778845/