I agree that cell phones in schools can be abused and misused. However, they are a tool that WILL be used in the world these students must function in. By banning that tool, we are not properly preparing our students for their adult life. Kids will learn certain skills with cell phones - or any other interesting technology - on their own, but by banning the phones the teachers miss introducing many other useful applications available on the phones.
Many people younger than me use cell phones exclusively for internet connections. I, having been brought up before personal computers, learn how to use desktop computers and still that is my primary connection tool. I find cell phone, or even tables too small, slow, and confining. I do carry a smart phone but other than text, phone, clock and a very few apps, use it only when absolutely necessary. I know it can help me much more than it does, but I need some guidance to know what and how. Teachers could do that.
Blanket allowing, or blanket banning, cell phones or any other tool means that our education system is not discovering how to fully prepare our students for their next life - that of adults.
For an excellent example of how the education system can take advantage of new tools - such as AI - read the book, "Brave New Words" and see how Khan used AI to help the teachers and students.
I agree that all these technologies, including smartphones, can be useful tools, depending on how we use them. I personally struggle with smartphones, as I find them very distracting. But my bigger concern is with the algorithm. I can put down a smartphone, but there is nothing I can do with the algorithm when I am using a social media app. The algorithm, like the most powerful gatekeeper, wields immense power to decide what we see or read. That is a cause for concern.
I do agree there is cause for concern. I have a problem with the all-or-nothing in ANY situation. Let's try to fine a way to make this work with a sharp knife rather than a sledge hammer
I agree that cell phones in schools can be abused and misused. However, they are a tool that WILL be used in the world these students must function in. By banning that tool, we are not properly preparing our students for their adult life. Kids will learn certain skills with cell phones - or any other interesting technology - on their own, but by banning the phones the teachers miss introducing many other useful applications available on the phones.
Many people younger than me use cell phones exclusively for internet connections. I, having been brought up before personal computers, learn how to use desktop computers and still that is my primary connection tool. I find cell phone, or even tables too small, slow, and confining. I do carry a smart phone but other than text, phone, clock and a very few apps, use it only when absolutely necessary. I know it can help me much more than it does, but I need some guidance to know what and how. Teachers could do that.
Blanket allowing, or blanket banning, cell phones or any other tool means that our education system is not discovering how to fully prepare our students for their next life - that of adults.
For an excellent example of how the education system can take advantage of new tools - such as AI - read the book, "Brave New Words" and see how Khan used AI to help the teachers and students.
I agree that all these technologies, including smartphones, can be useful tools, depending on how we use them. I personally struggle with smartphones, as I find them very distracting. But my bigger concern is with the algorithm. I can put down a smartphone, but there is nothing I can do with the algorithm when I am using a social media app. The algorithm, like the most powerful gatekeeper, wields immense power to decide what we see or read. That is a cause for concern.
I do agree there is cause for concern. I have a problem with the all-or-nothing in ANY situation. Let's try to fine a way to make this work with a sharp knife rather than a sledge hammer