SMART CH2: Cell Phones

It surprised me when the book said that 74% of all teens had cell phones. Thinking about all of American and the number of underprivileged teens, this number somehow surprised me. It made sense after a while especially because even if teens are underprivileged they can work to make money to support themselves and their cell phones. It also surprised in the number of smart phones in the recent years. If 20% of all teens who have phones have smart phones than currently the potential for using smart phone cell phones in class is low but in a few years, that number will go up and then more students will have smart phones to use. So even if it is hard to use cell phones in class today, in a few years, it will be possible that almost every person in my classroom will have a cellphone. Like chewing gum was once a big issue, the cellphone issue will die down within a few years and more potential with learning can be reached with them. 

Some of the cons involved with cellphones are involved with the possible misuse of cellphones. In recent years cell phones have been involved with cheating in the classroom, harassment in text messages or photos taken, and any kinds of bullying that are involved with this. Cell phones can also be a distraction with noise or with attention away from what is important.

As this book suggested, I really like the idea of using the photo feature of cell phones. The photos can be used in the classroom with subjects being studied to reinforce and to document the learning that is taking place.

I also like how the book suggest we teach ethics and manners involved with cell phone use. This would do students a lot of use as they grow up to be adults surrounded by this kind of media and more to use their media in respectful way and with good manners. 

But I really really liked the idea of using the cell phone for podcasting. I have never heard of the websites which you can call and then record a podcast right from your phone! That is brilliant and teachers can even have students call in for assignments with their reflections or ideas to use for the next day of class or to reinforce for learning.