Name: _________________________________________ 

Annotating the Text Set: 

● PARAPHRASE 4 ideas/sections/paragraps
● PLACE A ​!​ next to 2 surprising ideas
😟 (sad face) next to 2 ideas you disagree with
😊 (happy face) next to 2 ideas you agree with
● PLACE A
● PLACE A

______________________________________________________________________________________

Should Cellphones Be Allowed in School?  

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 by American University (Washington D.C.) 

The number of mobile phone users in the world is expected to surpass 4.6 billion by 2019. With 237 million 
people in the United States currently using a mobile phone, it’s unlikely you will see a person without a 
device in hand. Researchers are studying the impact of spending too much time online, but there is a 
particular focus on young people and one polarizing question: should cellphones be allowed in school? 

How Much Are Teens Using Cell Phones? 

A recent Pew Research Center study found that 92 percent of American teens go online daily, and the 
percentage increases to 94 percent for teens with access to a smartphone. Nearly 75 percent of teens have 
access to a smartphone, and with open Wi-Fi networks in schools, libraries, and at home, staying connected 
is effortless. 

For teens, being connected to the internet also means being connected to friends through various social 
media platforms and texting applications, such as WhatsApp. Educators are battling for attention as a 
student’s focus is directed to the recent notification that has lit up the student’s screen rather than the 
lesson at the front of the class. As a result, educators and researchers are asking if cell phones should be 
allowed in school and if a balance between tool and distraction is possible. 

Digital Disruption 

Research from Asurion found that Americans check their phones every 12 minutes, and with smartphones’ 
functioning as our alarm clocks, appointment keepers, and even house keys, it is easy to understand why we 
are so easily distracted. 

Teachers already struggle with maintaining students’ attention during class, and with cell phones’ providing 
other ways to “escape” the classroom, many teachers feel that students’ grades have declined as a result. 
Research supports this theory and has shown that multitasking can be detrimental to one’s academic 
performance. Checking Facebook while listening to a class lecture can actually increase the amount of time 
that students will have to study at home since they did not absorb the content fully in the lecture. 

The distraction provided by social media apps, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, can potentially 
lead to signs of addiction as well—users may experience some form of agitation or anxiety when their 
phones aren’t around. There are even preliminary research findings that longer periods spent on digital 
devices correlate to decreased feelings of mental well-being. 

It’s a strong case against the use of cellphones in school, and some schools have even implemented a 
zero-tolerance policy for the use of cell phones. There is not yet enough research, however, and educators, 
parents, and students are still divided on if cell phones should be allowed in school. 

Additional Tools for Learning 

Cell phones, tablets, and other devices open up a world to access facts and ideas. If a student needs to define 
a word, a search on the internet will quickly return the definition and thousands of other pages with related 
content. There are also hundreds of educational apps to help students keep on top of their schedules and 
coursework, such as Moodle, or even to help them learn new languages, such as Duolingo. 

For students who have difficulty conceptualizing ideas or engaging with topics such as biology, the use of 
devices has made it easier for instructors to share educational videos. And these aren’t the hour-long, 
droning videos of the past. Short videos are proving to be more effective in capturing students’ attention 
and developing their understanding of the material. These videos are paired with active learning tools, such 
as answering a poll or completing a test, to help students comprehend the content. 

When it comes to focusing on an assignment, allowing students to listen to music can be beneficial, as it 
helps quiet the unconscious attention system that shifts to whatever our senses determine to be significant. 
One student’s clicking a pen can be incredibly distracting for another student. Music can help remove these 
distractions and shift a student’s focus to the task at hand. 

So, Should Cellphones Be Allowed in School? 

Research on the effect of teens’ cell phone use in school is still in its infancy. With the wildfire growth of 
students’ access to smartphones and other devices, educators are working hard to identify the right balance 
between function and fun. As smart home devices emerge and wearable technologies become further 
integrated into our lives, we may be at a point where we can’t separate ourselves—and students—from 
technology. 

5 Benefits of Using Cellphones in School: Smartphones as Learning Tools 

By The Room 241 Team  

This post has been updated as of April 2018. 

Today’s students are digital natives. Nearly three out of four teenagers have access to a smartphone, and so 
many students take them to school every day. For some teachers, it’s probably more uncommon to see a 
student without one than with one.  

But are cellphones in the classroom a good idea? Do they serve as a valid learning tool or, or are they just 
another distraction contributing to the social disengagement of children? 

We took a look at the arguments for using cellphones in class, along with the number of students with 
phones and the number of apps available to them.  

Smartphone ownership 
Cellphones have obviously come a long way since the two-pound, $3,995 Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was 
first introduced in 1984. Subsequent generations of mobile phones continued to evolve and became more 
affordable and portable, and now offer so much more value beyond a means to call others. 

In the ongoing discussion surrounding the efficacy of digital devices in the classroom, schools must face the 
fact that smartphones are already being utilized by students of all ages. According to an eMarketer article 
referencing a February 2016 survey by Flagship Research, “Among the 14- to 18-year-olds polled, 87% said 
they ‘own and use’ a smartphone—i.e., penetration about a dozen percentage points higher than 
eMarketer’s figure for 12- to 17-year-olds.” 

Clearly, young people are acquiring smartphones at a staggering rate. 

App availability 

Get this: The Apple Store had 800 apps the month of its launch in July 2008. As of January 2017, it had 2.2 
million. How many educational apps are there? According to ​New America​, as of June 2015, there were over 
80,000 educational apps available in the app store. 

From colors to ABCs to “The Little Engine That Could,” what used to be taught through books can now be 
learned through apps—and that’s just for younger generations. The applications for using smartphones from 
preschool through college are in place and growing. 

Reasons to use smartphones in the classroom 

With the widespread use of smartphones by younger and younger students, what are the practical reasons 
for allowing smartphones as a learning tool in the classroom? Consider these points: 

● Students learn in a way they are comfortable.​ Smartphones are young-person intuitive. More and 
more students know how to use them, and they are becoming the most used “tool” by teens. 
● Students can get answers quickly.​ Smartphones provide the ability to get answers ​really​ fast. In 
some situations, a student may not ask for clarification to a question he or she has in an open 
classroom—because they can use their smartphone to get the answer they’re looking for. 
● Audio and video can bring learning to life​. Audio and video capabilities of smartphones can put a 
voice to John F. Kennedy, a dramatic video image to the Hindenburg disaster, and allow students to hear the 
music of Chopin or Al Jolson. They can even connect students with other students from around the globe 
and expand their learning world. 
● Access to educational apps.​ Equipping your classroom with handy learning apps takes learning up a 
notch. There are many educational apps available in a wide range of subjects for all kinds of learners. These 
game-like exercises encourage playful competition among your students, while enhancing the way they 
learn new ideas. Plus, students (and you, the teacher) will love the change from regular lecture instruction. 
● Smartphones allow for social learning​. Smartphones can allow students to work in groups on 
projects, sharing information and discoveries. They can move toward a common goal, again, in a format they 
are comfortable using. 

How to, not if to, use smartphones 

Challenges of leveling the playing field, maintaining proper use and control, and preventing abuse with 
smartphones are similar to problems faced by teachers in the past. Back then, it was passing a note; today it 
is texting. Both are fairly avoidable, but it doesn’t mean phones should be banned (paper wasn’t!). 

At Concordia, we believe the focus of smartphone use in the classroom should shift from not ​if​ they should 
be used, but ​how​ to best use them. While critics will cite the opportunity for cheating, unauthorized 
socializing, and social isolation issues involved, the fact is students are using smartphones every day, and 
they are using them to learn. Teachers can be a positive force in helping students use them properly in the 
classroom. 

Our advice: set ground rules for smartphones in your classroom, along with clear expectations of what 
happens if they’re used inappropriately. Just like with anything else, too much of something can be a bad 
thing—but just enough, can be perfect for learning in new ways. 

Debating the Use of Digital Devices in the Classroom 

By The Room 241 Team  

This post has been updated as of July 2018. 

While many parents allow children free reign of the internet at home, it’s a common debate in education 
circles on ​how​—and ​if​—digital devices should be allowed at school. 

Supporters of technology in the classroom say that using laptops, tablets, and cellphones in the classroom 
can keep students engaged. Technology is what they know. Most students today don’t even remember a 
time without the internet. 

But critics say it’s yet ​another ​distraction in the classroom. From social media to texting, allowing digital 
devices could hinder a student’s performance in the classroom. 

Pros of digital devices in the classroom 

● Peace of mind:​ Cellphones and smartphones can offer parents a little more peace of mind when 
their children are at school. Parents know that in an emergency the student can contact them, or vice versa. 
In addition, more and more cellphones and smartphones contain GPS devices that can be tracked if 
necessary. 
● Instant answers:​ Access to the internet provides instant answers for the curious. This is the 
search-and-learn environment kids are involved in today. Now, when they want to know “Why do leaves 
change color,” they are only a search away from an answer. This also gives students the ability to get an 
answer to a question they may feel uncomfortable asking in class. If a teacher uses a term they don’t 
understand, they can find the answer discretely, and without interrupting the class. 
● Wider access to information:​ With internet access, children can be exposed to a world of creative 
ideas outside of their bubble. They can learn other languages, teach themselves how to draw, knit, or play 
chess. They have access to an endless array of options available to help them learn, and gain skills they might 
not otherwise be exposed to. All of this can be accomplished through a ​smartphone, which can be a valuable 
learning tool​, if used correctly. 
● Access to video:​ Electronic devices in the classroom can enhance the learning experience by 
providing instant video access. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is not just something to read 
about. Man’s first step on the moon, early flight, presidential speeches, bridges being built—they all are 
made more real and easier to digest in the form of instant video availability. 
● Wide range of music available:​ Sure, you might think of kids listening to their pop, hip-hop, and rap 
music on digital devices, but remember that ​all​ music is available. This gives students access to classical, jazz, 
big band, and early rock ‘n’ roll. Students could have the opportunity to compare and discuss the differences 
in these styles in a way that is familiar to them. 
● Social learning:​ Social media can have a negative connotation when you link it to kids. However, 
there ​can b
​ e an educational aspect. Social learning is a great way for students to share information, 
thoughts, and ideas on a subject. Properly focused, quieter, and shyer students may blossom in a social 
learning situation made possible by digital devices. 
● Teacher advancement:​ Finding ways to effectively utilize digital devices in the classroom provides 
teachers with an opportunity to advance their skillset and grow with their students. Many teachers are 
taking their digital literacy to the next level by earning an MEd in Educational Technology Leadership. 

Cons of digital devices in the classroom 

● Harmful effects of digital devices:​ There are concerns from the ​EPA about long-term exposure to 
wireless devices and computer screens​. While there is no direct evidence of harmful effects, the EPA 
discourages too much exposure for students who have video screens in front of their faces or computers in 
their laps. If students frequently use these devices at home, additional exposure at school could be viewed 
as harmful. 
● Inappropriate materials: ​While schools can limit the availability of websites that can be viewed on 
their network, students may find links that slipped through the system. There will also be times that 
students will not be accessing the internet through a monitored network. 
● Distraction from schoolwork: ​With the temptation of social media and texting in their hands, 
students may focus solely on their social life instead of the lesson plan. 
● Child predators: ​Child predators are a problem everywhere. Using digital devices at school creates 
just that much more exposure and potential danger for students. 
● Cyberbulling​: This is an increasing issue that’s grown exponentially in recent years. Permitting use 
of digital devices in the classroom could potentially lead to more of it. 
● Provide a disconnect:​ While some believe digital devices make for greater connections for 
students, there are also those who believe too much time with digital devices disconnects students from 
face-to-face social activities, family communications, and nature. Digital devices in the classroom could lead 
to an even greater disconnect. 
● Could widen the gap​: Technology spending varies greatly across the nation. Some schools have the 
means to address the digital divide so that all of their students have access to technology and can improve 
their technological skills. Meanwhile, other schools ​still struggle with their computer-to-student ratio 
and/or lack the means to provide economically disadvantaged students with loaner iPads and other devices 
so that they can have access to the same tools and resources that their classmates have at school and at 
home. 

Should schools permit digital devices? 

Some school districts have seen great improvements by allowing digital devices in the classroom. One thing 
is clear: if digital devices are permitted, there should be guidelines and rules in place. 

Students ​need​ to be taught online safety, the use of judgment in determining good quality sources of 
information, and restraint from personal use in the classroom. In other words, they need to learn all about 
digital literacy and digital citizenship. 

There are many resources for teaching these concepts, and a great place to start is the International Society 
for Technology in Education (ISTE). Their comprehensive standards focus on the skills and qualities students 
should have in order to be successful in the digital world. ISTE also teamed up with Google and developed an 
online digital citizenship game called Interland. It educates kids about digital citizenship in interactive ways. 
Students learn how to be good digital citizens as well as how to combat hackers, phishers, oversharers, and 
bullies.  

If a school is going to allow and/or encourage the use of digital devices in the classroom, then teachers also 
need proper support in terms of training, professional development, and curriculum. They can start with 
curriculum and PD resources such as those provided by Common Sense Media, but in order to fully utilize 
them, teachers need time to plan and collaborate. Digital devices should only be used when there are 
specific goals in mind, focusing on student safety, digital citizenship, critical thinking, collaboration, 
advancement, and equity.