electronics in school

[student]

Uniforms don't do anything...if a kid wants to bring a cell-phone in or somethin they'll find a way.....

[StuTeacher23]

Uniforms don't do anything...if a kid wants to bring a cell-phone in or somethin they'll find a way.....

If students are going to "find a way" to sneak cell phones into school now, what are they going to sneak into their job and so forth when they are older (if they even have a job)? :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

we should not have elteronics in class becaus thay will desteract the students from there school work
]

[Unregistered]

this is right.. we will just sneak them in da after day.. i do it every day....... wear a hoody and put the hood up.. it is so easy.. why are they banned they help us concentrate and stay focused. this is a stupid rule!

You say it helps you focus, but like so many of my own cell phone addicted students you can't write a proper sentence. Thanks to the invasion of technology into the classroom I have year 12 students who can't read or write beyond lower primary school levels. As this problem continues to progress, standards of education continue to regress. Dark ages, here we come again!

[Unregistered]

we should not have elteronics in class becaus thay will desteract the students from there school work
]

Refer to the previous comment. This could be one of my year 12 students.

[Unregistered]

As much as I don't condone Chocolate's abrasive style of writing, his more-than-occasional put-downs of those who don't agree with him, yadda, yadda, yadda........(oh this hurts) we need more teachers like him. Here's why. It is obvious from his posts that he puts up with no bull in his classroom. He does not namby-pamby, there is no gray area (it is either black or white), and he HOLDS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBLE. Oh My Gawd---holds them responsible! What a rarity in this day and age, and in our very crippled educational system. I will not wax poetic, but having taught elementary and middle school, I am appalled at the profound changes in students' attitudes in the last ten years. Very simply put---they feel they have rights rather than privileges. I am sure that 99% of the educators out there, who are reading this post at least, can agree with me if they are the least bit in tune to their students. From day one, most of them (note: not all) sway and sashay in the classrooms like they own the place. Thank God for those few who are products of households and parental influence in which education is a priority, rules and respect are taught and adhered to, and not given ("rewarded") material things that they feel they have a right to infiltrate the educational atmosphere with (ipods, cell phones, etc). They talk of their rights like they are talking about the latest fashion trend----to them it is just a fact of life and why in the world would adults want to take them away from them? I have heard them talking about "uprisings" and "strikes" and "protests" to show their displeasure at rules and regulations on campus. I say, go for it kids---you do have a right to express your opinions (they are like a-holes, everyone has one), but we will stick to our guns. We make these rules for you, not against you or to you----FOR you, to ensure that your educational experience is as safe and something that you can be proud of. I anticipate in years to come, we as Americans are going to be embarrassed about what we produce and turn out in our seniors headed off to college. No, I am not anti-American, I love this country and never take our freedom for granted, but our educational system is in trouble folks.

Why do I stay in my teaching position? At least once or twice a week I am reminded of why I stay-----I see a real hope for several of my best students, and even my poorer ones who actually give a sh!t.

So, rock on Choc!
Speaking as a baby-boomer --we had rules, values, and were not coddled. And look at us, how did we turn out/ Awesome, i would say!

[Unregistered]

yes i think ipods are cool during school but try to reason with the school board they think the idea is crap what do i do?

[Mr. H]

yes i think ipods are cool during school but try to reason with the school board they think the idea is crap what do i do?

Well, the idea IS crap! So deal with it. The only students in my classes who have had i pods in their ears are the ones with the lowest grades... maybe it's coincidence, but I think there is a link.

[Tyler]

I am a student, but at my school many of my teachers let us listen to music after they have finished with their instruction and have handed out the assignment to be completed in the next class. It actually works out quite well and actually helps us do out work.

[StuTeacher23]

I am a student, but at my school many of my teachers let us listen to music after they have finished with their instruction and have handed out the assignment to be completed in the next class. It actually works out quite well and actually helps us do out work.

Alright, fine. If they have proven that electronics help you concentrate, then great! But they also help you cheat, especially when you encode the answers into a song on your iPod, Cell Phone, Video, etc.....What? Are they going to make a manditory download to all iPods that the songs must be scanned for things that the school doesn't want in the songs....answers to the test, swears, etc.? NO! :rolleyes:

[Anonymous Student]

I think we should have electrics in school because it could be during school hours or during lunch or in the hall but i think they should have it in the hall like cell phones and stuff but they cant be talking really loud ib the hall they could listen to the CD players and stuff i think you all teachers should let them because sometimes it could be important

[Anonymous Student]

I think we should have electrics in school because it could be during school hours or during lunch or in the hall but i think they should have it in the hall like cell phones and stuff but they cant be talking really loud in the hall they could listen to the CD players and stuff i think you all teachers should let them because sometimes it could be important

[Unregistered]

YOu should have cellphones etc. in school because what if you havet to stay in it all day

[Mr. H]

OK, kids, if you're going to sign on and add your opinions (which all consist of: "yes, we should be allowed to do whatevertheheckwewant") please, for the sake of your teachers try to implement grammar and punctuation usage.

That being addressed, most students don't need cell-phones or music-related devices in school.. There are phones in the offices if not in every classroom.

[IBadget]

I think that electronics should be allowed at school because the students should be allowed to decide whether they can concentrate better on their studies while listening to their favorite music. Also, students should be allowed to decide whether they will listen to their favorite music during lunch and recess. It's all about personal freedom and individual choice. By banning electronics, schools are taking away personal freedom and individual choice. Sure students survived before the advent of electronic devices, but I also feel that students shouldn't be forced to do without their electronics at school. If I were a school principal, I would gladly allow electronics at school. Let's make school fun and entertaining, not boring and tedious.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I think that electronics should be allowed at school because the students should be allowed to decide whether they can concentrate better on their studies while listening to their favorite music. Also, students should be allowed to decide whether they will listen to their favorite music during lunch and recess. It's all about personal freedom and individual choice. By banning electronics, schools are taking away personal freedom and individual choice. Sure students survived before the advent of electronic devices, but I also feel that students shouldn't be forced to do without their electronics at school. If I were a school principal, I would gladly allow electronics at school. Let's make school fun and entertaining, not boring and tedious.


kids can't decide on their own bedtimes, what they need to eat for dinner, or that they need to pass class and stop letting friends prevent them from passing. What makes you think kids are anywhere REMOTELY ready to decide if they can listen to music in MY CLASS.

[Margaritaville]

I think that electronics should be allowed at school because the students should be allowed to decide whether they can concentrate better on their studies while listening to their favorite music. Also, students should be allowed to decide whether they will listen to their favorite music during lunch and recess. It's all about personal freedom and individual choice.

This person can't possibly be an educator. This is completely ridiculous. Given this thinking, why don't we just let them record the answers to tests in their iPod or on their picture phones and allow all text messaging. I'm sure that actually expecting students to study is an infringement on their personal freedom, too. Or, perhaps instead of teaching, I could traverse my classroom and screen all iPods, phones, etc. for their content.

I'll stick with my first response. Ridiculous! :rolleyes:

[IBadget]

kids can't decide on their own bedtimes, what they need to eat for dinner, or that they need to pass class and stop letting friends prevent them from passing. What makes you think kids are anywhere REMOTELY ready to decide if they can listen to music in MY CLASS.

The fact that this is America makes me think that. America is a free country. So, students should have the freedom to bring whatever electronic devices they want to bring to school.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Freedoms don't apply equally to kids.

However, a plane can tell you not have electronics, your work can. Is that a denial of your American freedoms :rolleyes: or is it these places have reasons for not allowing it.

Please grow up and post again when you understand the world doesn't revolve around you. ;)

[Mr. H]

Freedoms don't apply equally to kids.

However, a plane can tell you not have electronics, your work can. Is that a denial of your American freedoms :rolleyes: or is it these places have reasons for not allowing it.

Please grow up and post again when you understand the world doesn't revolve around you. ;)

According to my old psych professor, the ability to think outside of the realm of egocentrism doesn't occur until about the end of the development of the Cerebral cortex... for most humans, this occurs around the age of 24.

And to the kids who think that they should be able to do whatever the heck they want in class (have i pods, cellphones etc), the issue is this, if there is something that interferes with any student's ability to learn OR my ability to teach it is disruptive. Yeah, you might be able to control your liberties, but most students can't. It would be unfair for us to allow some students to use their i pods or cellphones in class and not others due to their irresponsibilities. So, deal with it. Fact of life, kids.

[Unregistered]

well i think you are ritre!! i think that u should haf things like elewctronics ion school! i think its educational...
But why is it educational to have ipods in school??? Whats so good about them??? Student FROM HIGH SCHOOL

[Unregistered]

Electronic devices in the classroom----what a pain in my side! I have my hands full just trying to be the best teacher I can be. I have an office in my department with a phone. We are never more than 40 feet away from that phone in case of an emergency. I wish parents in my school boundaries were as concerned about their children’s education as they seem to be about getting their kids all the newest gadgets and allowing them to bring the gadgets to school to disturb the education process. If I see the devices out, I take it away. I will only return it to a parent, face to face. After all, what is wrong with asking a parent to come in for a parent-teacher conference! I have the support of my principal (he says he wishes more teachers would do this) and while some parents grumble about the inconvenience, I do get to visit with them. I would like to use a cell phone blocking devise in my classroom, but so far I've been told it is illegal. Anybody know the real story on this?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I like that, keeping it until a PARENT comes in to get them.

I'll one up it though. I'm going to have a printoff I can hand the student as I take up the item that tells them how the PARENTS can pick it up. And that after 1 week, it goes to the front office.

[Unregistered]

I personaly think we should give our students one day of the week or month
where they can bring electronics(game boys,\CD players,I pods).I mean it's only fair!!

i think electronics should be allowed in school. From a students point of view i think electronics helps us concentrate even more. once your done with your work and have nothing else to do you could listen to your i pod instead of dissrupting the rest of the students and getting in trouble

[Unregistered]

at my school we are allowed to have cell phones as long as they are turned off and out of sight. But with ipods or mp3 players it varies from teacher to teacher. the teachers that do allow it only allow them out after lesson and ask that the volume is reasonable so not every body in the class has to listen to your music.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

i think electronics should be allowed in school. From a students point of view i think electronics helps us concentrate even more. once your done with your work and have nothing else to do you could listen to your i pod instead of dissrupting the rest of the students and getting in trouble

"let us listen to iPods or we'll misbehave"

:roll:

the threat of your bad behavior in order to get a privaledge is unexceptable. If you choose to misbehave, whether you think an iPod would prevent that or not, is not my concern. You misbehave, you deal with consequences. I won't be 'bullied' into letting you have them in hopes you'll choose to behave for me. You mean I have to ask your acceptance of school rules, or bribe you?

hahaha, like grade schoolers have that much control in my classroom.

I make the rules, you follow them. Simple as that.

[Unregistered]

pls let me bring a cellphone to school! I smell like cheese!

[wezzy]

I think we should have electronics in school because student's work better
with music and when teacher explain the work will turn it off then when she's done we turn it on and the class will be silent for the rest of the day music stemulate's them anytime and everyday

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I think we should have electronics in school because student's work better
with music and when teacher explain the work will turn it off then when she's done we turn it on and the class will be silent for the rest of the day music stemulate's them anytime and everyday


nope, you'll follow the rules established by older, wiser people than yourself. You may not like it, but in my class, you will adhere to the rules

[Unregistered]

i dont think electronis should be in school

[Unregistered]

los electronics es gayos!

[frisco_teachers]

i am a former teacher that is thinking hey music helps me concentrate why wouldnt it help our kids teach? i believe music and cellphones are a good idea for school. when i let my kids listen to music while they do theyre work the room is quiet, and they seem to actually finish theyre work faster then if i let them stay at their desks and tell them to do their work "quietly" the room gets really loud, but with music everything seems to be calmer. just tell them to keep it at a good volume. and cell phones can probably save a life what you should do though is maybe collect them before class but makie sure to return them at the end so theyre not texting or calling during classes. teachers should take my word for it and experiment with this i garentee it will work.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

i am a former teacher that is thinking hey music helps me concentrate why wouldnt it help our kids teach? i believe music and cellphones are a good idea for school. when i let my kids listen to music while they do theyre work the room is quiet, and they seem to actually finish theyre work faster then if i let them stay at their desks and tell them to do their work "quietly" the room gets really loud, but with music everything seems to be calmer. just tell them to keep it at a good volume. and cell phones can probably save a life what you should do though is maybe collect them before class but makie sure to return them at the end so theyre not texting or calling during classes. teachers should take my word for it and experiment with this i garentee it will work.



hahahaha, BS

Just another 'genius' middle school kid whose poor grammar and punctuation makes it painfully obvious that they don't have a clue. Keep trying, kiddo. :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

even if you say no mp3s in class kids will always bring them and play them in class. Just yesterday a kid was playing music outside and the teacher didn't care. Then, during our free time inside (whichhappens few times) someone else was playing one and the teacher took it and didn't give it back until a week from then. So, whats the difference if you play it during (occasional) freetime in class from playing it outside.
1 more thing... Why do you (teachers) say you have tried all the tricks when you didn't have mp3s back 30yrs ago

[Unregistered]

even if you say no mp3s in class kids will always bring them and play them in class. Just yesterday a kid was playing music outside and the teacher didn't care. Then, during our free time inside (whichhappens few times) someone else was playing one and the teacher took it and didn't give it back until a week from then. So, whats the difference if you play it during (occasional) freetime in class from playing it outside.

1 more thing... Why do you (teachers) say you have tried all the tricks when you didn't have mp3s back 30yrs ago

+music does help us concentrate. you know how they say music helps babys braincells develop, when we are taking tests we tend to cheat but if we are listening to mucis we won't even think about cheating and we will do the test (music can stay low if you want it to).

[Unregistered]

Man, what is the big deal?! People are saying that electronics would disturb people in class, well last time I checked, the teachers had the authority to say "Please put that away right now". With MP3 players, teachers could tell their students when they could listen to them, and how loud that they could have the volume on. My brothers says that at highschool, the teachers normally let them listen to their music when they are workibg on a project for a long period of time!

peoples are weird these days man in my high school they banned electronics after i passed gr.8

now i can't even concentrate i wish i had a say but we don't have much of a say in anything

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

peoples are weird these days man in my high school they banned electronics after i passed gr.8

now i can't even concentrate i wish i had a say but we don't have much of a say in anything

children don't deserve a say

[Unregistered]

man shut the **************** up man. you are probably a teacher so shut the **************** up.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

man shut the **************** up man. you are probably a teacher so shut the **************** up.

Don't be mad child. One day, if you're lucky, you'll grow up and be able to listen to all the music you want when flipping burgers. :cool:

[Unregistered]

i think u should be able to have cell phones because what if someone brought a gun to school and u were in lockdown in ur classroom, if you had a cell phone you could call the police...

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

i think u should be able to have cell phones because what if someone brought a gun to school and u were in lockdown in ur classroom, if you had a cell phone you could call the police...


yeah, because all the landlines in the school wouldn't be able to do that, would they :rolleyes:

[WordTeacher]

In our school the electronics are not allowed, but few administrators or teachers carry through with that policy. One thing I noticed on reading replies here - cell phones are increasingly predatory in schools. Cyberbullying is the fastest growing type of bullying in (and out) of school. Students are leaving the classroom to "use the restroom" but in fact are texting to others. Phones also have cameras, which could be devastating in a locker room. The use of the I-touch (Christmas is coming, and students need every new toy out there) will be even more horrible, as the internet (unfiltered) will become a huge issue. Already students are texting test questions, answers, etc. in school, and my students have told me flat out that they have a system in place, in class, for texting. One student is the "lookout" while the other student does his/her text messaging. If the teacher looks his/her way, a quick foot tap is all it takes for the texting student to look up and look interested. I have class sizes of nearly 40, and it's hard at times to keep track of every single action of every single student.
I confiscate items, and take them directly to the office. Columbine or no, I do not want cell phones in my classroom. The probability of direct hits by cyberbullying is quite high. And it's quite detrimental to my students.

[angyelk]

While I understand detrimental aspects of allowing electronics in school during class hours, the prohibition of electronics during recess and/or lunchtime doesn't strike me as eminent. In the morning, before class had started, I enjoyed listening to my iPod while reviewing my work. During lunch, I found it extremely useful to be able to call my mother to ensure that I picked up my elementary grade sister from school or my thirteen year old brother from soccer practice.

As an AP student, I realise the significance of morality and truthfulness during testing and such. One should not be so foolish as to think that the removal of electronics will suppress cheating - much to our dismay. Cheating has been and will remain ubiquitous through the ages, as is evident in several aspects of psychology.

Also, consider the Virginia Tech incident. Cell phones were of a relatively significant use in that case. Sure, calling from a land-line is possible, too, but imagine every student in the school rushing to use a land-line.
This is a problem at my school, at this time.
Also, I would like to talk to my mom, but usage of cell phones are disallowed. I am not allowed to use the office phone unless it is "an emergency". The definition of an emergency in each person's mind will differ. If the banning of cell-phones will continue, land-lines and office phones should be readily available. Some people will certainly abuse that, as is seemingly ubiquitous, as well, upon observation.


Also, look into history on the attempts at alcohol prohibition. How well did that work out? While that might not seem as significantly prominent to the educating population, there is a pattern. The recent and local issue of two books being banned, including The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy, expresses my point quite clearly. The author commented on this: Because the two books were temporarily banned "every kid in that county will read them, every single one of them. Because book banners are invariably idiots," Conroy wrote in the letter published Oct. 24 in The Charleston Gazette.
Despite the fact that these are books, it is clear that anything that is banned, will only press people, most prominently students, to break those rules.

Continued disciplinary actions would suppress these, but that is not the issue.

[Unregistered]

You kind of have to think this through. i mean true students would be texting in class but thats really no different from student writing notes in class

[Unregistered]

In our school the electronics are not allowed, but few administrators or teachers carry through with that policy. One thing I noticed on reading replies here - cell phones are increasingly predatory in schools. Cyberbullying is the fastest growing type of bullying in (and out) of school. Students are leaving the classroom to "use the restroom" but in fact are texting to others. Phones also have cameras, which could be devastating in a locker room. The use of the I-touch (Christmas is coming, and students need every new toy out there) will be even more horrible, as the internet (unfiltered) will become a huge issue. Already students are texting test questions, answers, etc. in school, and my students have told me flat out that they have a system in place, in class, for texting. One student is the "lookout" while the other student does his/her text messaging. If the teacher looks his/her way, a quick foot tap is all it takes for the texting student to look up and look interested. I have class sizes of nearly 40, and it's hard at times to keep track of every single action of every single student.
I confiscate items, and take them directly to the office. Columbine or no, I do not want cell phones in my classroom. The probability of direct hits by cyberbullying is quite high. And it's quite detrimental to my students.

I understand where you are going with this. but. Its simple that during a test or quiz simply dont let anyone leave the classroom and ask that all phones be turned off during the test and that if you see anyone with the phone out they will recieve detention or some kind of punishment.

[Unregistered]

yeah, because all the landlines in the school wouldn't be able to do that, would they :rolleyes:

The only landline i know of in my school is in the office

[Unregistered]

Chocolate New orleans why you being a Dike. Why dont you stop being an ************ and think back when you were in school. And dont make some dumb remark like i dont need to cause im not in school anymore give a smart real reasonable answer

[Unregistered]

nope, you'll follow the rules established by older, wiser people than yourself. You may not like it, but in my class, you will adhere to the rules

that had nothing to do with what the person was talking about

[Unregistered]

According to my old psych professor, the ability to think outside of the realm of egocentrism doesn't occur until about the end of the development of the Cerebral cortex... for most humans, this occurs around the age of 24.

And to the kids who think that they should be able to do whatever the heck they want in class (have i pods, cellphones etc), the issue is this, if there is something that interferes with any student's ability to learn OR my ability to teach it is disruptive. Yeah, you might be able to control your liberties, but most students can't. It would be unfair for us to allow some students to use their i pods or cellphones in class and not others due to their irresponsibilities. So, deal with it. Fact of life, kids.

who are the *others* your explaining that why should we let student have electronics in class when others cant. who are these others

[Unregistered]

and what point was it necessary to call you in the middle of class for that news (not like you could do anything at that point as the rape/murder was done) You'd been better served to be checked out and told if your presence was necessary, or just told when you got home that afternoon. Your mother is an idiot to put that on her kid in the middle of the day. All the cell phone did was prevented you from learning the rest of that day, I can promise you that.

I would laugh to see you go up to the mother an tell her that. it would be a laughing experience for me. cause you would be ******************** out. also. Mothers worry about there children. its normal. get over it. something like that happens *all* mothers freak out and feel as if they need to immediately call there child let them know what happened and make sure there ok. sure its wierd but THATS life you fat peice of ****************

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I had to go back and remember what I was talking about with that quote. But bottom line, you don't need to call in the middle of class and give that information (that a family member died) if you don't feel the need to check them out over that issue. What point does it serve, you've now, as a parent, served to mess up the rest of that child's day with news that could have waited until they got home. If it was really important that you give information like that, then it's best you check them out.

You tell a kid a family member dies, chances are, they are going to break down, cry, and that affects the other 30 in that class. If you check them out, tell them, they will still break down, cry and mourn, (rightfully so), but it won't disrupt the learning of others.

[Unregistered]

I think that kids can focus better, and in my class I let them listen to their CD plays, Ipods, MP3's, ect. I think it is a great idea, and I also let my kids chew gum. All my kids focus better, and concentrate more when you let them do what you gotta do.

Thanks

Carly King

omg ur hecka kool come talk 2 us in merced, california at golden valley high skool

[angyelk]

I had to go back and remember what I was talking about with that quote. But bottom line, you don't need to call in the middle of class and give that information (that a family member died) if you don't feel the need to check them out over that issue. What point does it serve, you've now, as a parent, served to mess up the rest of that child's day with news that could have waited until they got home. If it was really important that you give information like that, then it's best you check them out.

You tell a kid a family member dies, chances are, they are going to break down, cry, and that affects the other 30 in that class. If you check them out, tell them, they will still break down, cry and mourn, (rightfully so), but it won't disrupt the learning of others.


...Which is why cell phones should be disallowed during class hours. If a teacher wants to disallow iPods and MP3 players as well, they should say so. Students will respect that, and if they don't, they face the consequences. Of course, they'll moan and groan, but if a teacher sets a rule for a class, it will be followed. Upon discussing this with BD teachers, they have said that they've noticed that having headphones keeps the student more focused and not easily diverted by their surroundings. While that's not scientifically proven, it does seem to control behaviour dysfunctions; you can't deny that. During some classes such as art, it is ideal to have music to, per se, be inspired by. When students are doing tedious work or specifically trying to concentrate, MP3 players are ideal, as well. Personally, I used to get my iPod and if songs with words would distract me, I had a plethora of classical and instrumental music that would help me focus better. Now we can't even have them in the morning, an hour before school. My sister has an early morning class before the actual school day starts, and I'd much rather wake up to my own music and my own inspiration than the sound of annoying kids in the cafeteria or the library or things like that. I have resorted to remaining in my car until it is nearly time for school to begin. This strikes me as unnecessary, really. Having them during lunch and during breaks and such is not so much of a problem. I can understand the problem during class, because it was annoying to me when the class was in the midst of a discussion and a cell phone goes off. Those, I agree, should be punished. But otherwise is simply foolish.

[Unregistered]

I am not going to comment whether electronics should be allowed in school. I want to comment on one of the arguments in favor of allowing electronics.
Several students have commented if electronics are banned they are just going to bring them anyway, so based on this they should be allowed.
This is absurd. Based on this logic, anything a kid wants to bring to school should be allowed (knives, guns, cheat sheets, drugs), 'cuz, well they are going to to it anyway.
I realize someone is going to point out that knives and guns in a school are illegal, and drugs are illegal everywhere. People are going to carry these anyway, so let's just go ahead and legalize them in school, and legalize drugs everywhere.
Pick a different argument.

[Unregistered]

edgar rocks

[Unregistered]

hes freaking gansta

[Unregistered]

Heathers awesomer then Edgar ♥

[Unregistered]

Heathers awesomer then Edgar

[Unregistered]

I am a teacher and a mom of a high school student. I did not believe students needed to bring in and cell phones to school until my son's school had a lot of bomb scares. He was evacuated from his school so many times to so many locations , I did not know where he was. His teachers let my son use his own cell phone to call me at my school one time. The rest of the time I was in the dark if it was really a bomb or just another prank. His school also had many deaths in one year at a few of the schools in his district. We as a family were very scared. ( I teach in another district)
After that horrible year, we decided that my son needed a cell phone. He does not use it unless it is very important . He text messages me if his plans change after school....like if he needs to stay after school for some reason.
We have children in my Elementary school who now have small cell phones in their backpacks. THey told me that they have it in case they needed to call their parents to say that they are ok.......we had a few lockdowns at our schools....parents were not told why....kids text messaged their parents to tell them that they were fine and not to be worried.
This " day in age" we need to know that our children are safe. I even take my cell phone out to recess. If I need someone quickly , I have a phone to get help.
Nan

dont waste ur time

[Unregistered]

The fact that this is America makes me think that. America is a free country. So, students should have the freedom to bring whatever electronic devices they want to bring to school.

Well, the fact is this. Secondary students in America, have not reached the legal age of majority. Assumed rights fall well short of teachers and administrators moral authority to at least try to provide a learning environment that produces educated and productive individuals; those that reach the age of majority and will soon be out of school soon and not among the 2 million plus in prison. While we all want "freedom," and constantly remind others of assumed rights, most children in America are woefully ill-equipped to respect these very same things that they demand. Have you not read where America ranks in the world in Science and Math? And, in spite of NCLB, there has not been any improvement over the 2003 rankings. So, if freedom is so important in America, why are we so intellectually inferior to at least half the industrialized nations of the world? Land of the free, home of the stupid? Pitiful........and it's not cool to be stupid and it is so depressing to see America in such a rapid, spinning decline. Have some pride, not everything in life is about having fun.

[Unregistered]

I came upon this thread while looking for insight on electronic devices in school. I am researching for an upcoming highschool debate and need to know both sides of the argument. However, after reading this thread the only side that would hold a chance in a legitimate debate would be the side saying electronics should be banned during school hours. What makes me disheartened is the fact that those writing for the side against the bann have ridiculously bad grammar. (I wonder what they were doing during english.) Of course that is a broad generalization and I apologize to those who were affected by it without due cause.

I would first like to define my case. Electronics in my terms are things that do not aid in the learning experience and/or hinder the learning experience. School should be seen as k-12 seeing as college students are in control of their own learning and they are paying a high price for it (Literally). Also we should take into consideration classroom hours. My school starts at 8:30 and lasts until 3:00.

The fact is, I am a high school student and I beg the proper authorities to do something about the electronic devices in school. I take a math class where students are allowed to have their mp3 players and cell phones on during class. There is nothing more annoying than having to listen to someone else blast out their own ear drums. (It is very distracting having a buzzing sound with a beat near your head.) They are not only allowed to listen to them during times of instruction but during tests.

I think this is an individual vs. group debate and clearly the group should take precedents to the individual in this situation. We all have rights and freedoms under the human rights act and one of those rights is the right to learn. I feel that these rights are being violated when someone also believes they should have the ability to prevent you from learning in the fullest capacity. Students already have a hard enough time concentrating on their studies.

There are also laws that may be broken while electronics are allowed in the classroom. Privacy issues and harrassment claims are all considered to be under the scrutiny of the law. The idea that people video tape embarrassing moments to use as aminition against someone is appalling. Why should we encourage it.

In an earlier statement I read in this thread mentioned that we should not encourage obesity and laziness! Think North America is known for its fat kids. Why should those who are suppose to care about the youth encourage such a growing problem. If you ever use the excuse that it keeps them out of trouble I will remind you of this.

The two boys who murdered students and a teacher in the Columbine massacre were very much aquainted with technology. They both were reported to have played Doom (A video game) for hours on end. It was also reported that before the day of the massacre they had barely used a weapon if at all. Expert David Grossman, author of On Killing and expert in the art of killing, deduced that it was there experience with video games that gave them the ability to kill around 13 people, in school.

So if you think that encouraging electronics to be used in school is a good thing think again and do not base your opinion simply on the idea that you want that right or that you could not care less. Base your opinion on recent and tragic events.

Also think. If a killer is roaming the halls of a school and is unable to see into the classroom the next thing he is going to do is listen. Say you are a group of students hiding in a storage closet. A cell phone goes off when a worried and frantic parent wants to know if their child is alright. The killer heres the ringing and moves to the one place he though would be empty. Suddenly that parents nightmares may become reality.

If this hasn't made you think twice think about this. The education system was not built so that we could ignore the information being handed to us and focus on other things. The point of school is to give information to the students, but it is also to teach us how to interact with others and to learn how to show respect. How are we to go out into society after graduation if all we know how to do is mouth the words the Alicia Keys songs and press button really fast? What will happen to the future economy if no one knows how to interact face to face?

I do not want to force my opinion on anyone I just wish to point out these details that I thought were key in this argument. With the risk of sounding like my grandmother, we worked well in school before electronics why should it be any different now?

And for those who say they need it for afterschool activities, fine! That is afterschool and is up to the discretion of the instructor at that point in time. But that is no excuse for disrupting classmates and disrespecting teachers.

[Unregistered]

I think that students from grade 7+ should be allowed to have electronics in school, as long as they KNOW it is their responsibility to take care of it and if anything were to happen, we're not to blame. Also, they shouldn't be allowed during class, and cellphones should be turned off. But for example during recess, why shouldn't they be allowed to use it?

- Christina

[middle schooler]

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

No students should not bring cellophones to school because they can invade other studen'ts privacies by taking pictures in the bathroom and the lockers. Also students can also take pictures on test anwer cheats,too.

[Unregistered]

No students should not bring cellophones to school because they can invade other studen'ts privacies by taking pictures in the bathroom and the lockers. Also students can also take pictures on test anwer cheats,too.
why does that sound like from past experience? but only the really preppy, well um B**ch kid's do that :D
No offense though

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

all it takes is for it to happen one time (taking pics in the lockerroom) for the school to be held liable.

Imagine if a teen boy got a girl to take pictures in the lockerroom for him. :eek:

I wish this technology was around when I was in middleschool.

[adolfo]

what would u think about ipods at shcool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Unregistered]

Didn't people get by before cell phones regardless of medical issues or otherwise? I am not anti-technology but schools have land phones. I believe that students should not have cell phones in school. It is too tempting to use them.

[Unregistered]

all it takes is for it to happen one time (taking pics in the lockerroom) for the school to be held liable.

Imagine if a teen boy got a girl to take pictures in the lockerroom for him. :eek:

I wish this technology was around when I was in middleschool.
why would the teacher let them in the same locker room?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

comeon now, you can't be that slow can you? :rolleyes:


A boy convinces a girl to take pictures of other girls in the lockerroom and then forwards them to the boy.

[Unregistered]

comeon now, you can't be that slow can you? :rolleyes:


A boy convinces a girl to take pictures of other girls in the lockerroom and then forwards them to the boy.
99% of the time's there a coach in there watching what a student does or just cleaning i doubt they would let the girl take picture's of her naked or partically naked

[Unregistered]

I think students should be able to take electronics to school, to use them in their free time only. If they are caught using them during class, yes, they should be taken away. Just because you bring an electronic to school does not mean it will affect your learning ability. Yes, students should be able to use electronics in their free time!!

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;18281]There's no reason to have an MP3/iPod in a classroom at school. Just hum a song in your head if you need to. At the school I teach at our rules are no electronics!![



for some peeps music helps them concentrate

[Unregistered]

I really don't see the proplem with it, elecontrics can be a great thing, and a bad thing of course, a Cellphone can be used in school just make sure it off, a camera who care's let the kid take pictures' but keep it safe, and that there using it properly, and a MP3, it music, and its' educational, it been shown that when a kid is intruduced a music that they like, there concentration rises to what ever there doing, because they have something to atleast give there time some enjoyment

[Unregistered]

i am here because i was born. my friends are here to because they were born. thank you

[Unregistered]

If cell phones are really a necessity, how in the world did kids manage to survive before they were invented?

because times were different. this is 2008! times have changeddd.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

99% of the time's there a coach in there watching what a student does or just cleaning i doubt they would let the girl take picture's of her naked or partically naked

uh huh. :rolleyes: You keep sticking your head in the sand about that one.

The school I'm at now, it wouldn't be hard at all. And the highschool I attended personally, well, you're right, they had a coach in there. But there wasn't a place that one teacher could get that had every student in your sight.

Sorry, although a perfect world says your are correct, the reality is, students need only about 2 seconds to snap a picture on a cell phone and with 100 kids in one place at one time, I challenge anyone to be able to prove to me that a picture can't be taken without detection

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

because times were different. this is 2008! times have changeddd.


everything you THINK you need a cellphone for can still be achieved using one of the 500 landlines that all schools have.

[Unregistered]

we should all have electronisc devices in class. you teachers are too mean to let us have them. listening to music is cooler than listening the teacher! ok!!!

[Unregistered]

uh huh. :rolleyes: You keep sticking your head in the sand about that one.

The school I'm at now, it wouldn't be hard at all. And the highschool I attended personally, well, you're right, they had a coach in there. But there wasn't a place that one teacher could get that had every student in your sight.

Sorry, although a perfect world says your are correct, the reality is, students need only about 2 seconds to snap a picture on a cell phone and with 100 kids in one place at one time, I challenge anyone to be able to prove to me that a picture can't be taken without detection
wow you must go to a really ****************ty school then? but you do have a point, so you just have to put trust in the kids and atleast hope there some what decent

[Unregistered]

What grade level(s) are you talking about?

If it is high school, then I think that the students should be allowed to have cell phones only as long as they are turned off. If a teacher sees it or it becomes a problem in class, he/she should confiscate it and then call the parents about the situation. High schoolers should have cell phones for contacting parents for emergencies or for calling to pick them up from sporting events.

Middle school and younger should NOT have any cell phones, period.

I think that this is a bad assumption. Middle schoolers have after school sports too, and sometimes, so do elementary schoolers. I know that there was a couple of lockdowns this year at my school and I have often used my cell to call my parents. I am in 6th grade.
Also, at my school children are allowed mp3s,iPods, and other devices as long as they do not interfere with the class. In my math class, we have to put all electronic devices in a bin on my teahcer's desk when we walk in the door. In health, we are allowed to use music devices when we are working independently, and the same goes with art class and humanities. At lunch, break and after school, we are allowed to use cameras, mp3s, cellphones, gameboys, psp, anything and it has never been a problem.

[Unregistered]

I despise cell phones in the classroom. And when you have to try to take one away from a student, it becomes combative -- literally. I've had students running from me, yelling, pushing....all for a cell phone. I had to tell one student EVERY DAY not to use her cell phone. She got caught by the school VP and fought with her. They make me crazy.

As for CDs, in that I teach special education, some of my students need them to keep focused. I give in occasionally and most of the students know it's a privilege and do not abuse that. Students are addicted to technology and no matter what we think of that, it's a fact. We all need to be more interesting teachers to today's student, which means getting a handle on technology. I book the computer lab two days a weeks now for English instruction. I get more and better work from my students and they are not a restless the rest of the week.

Dori Rhodes

Unfortunately you have to conform to the new age types of kids that you may not understand. The cell phone is the central hub to a teenager and it's like if someone took your diary from you. To you it may seem like a piece of plastic, but honestly it's a lot more central to them than you may think.

I don't think it's distracting more than if someone was doing other work in my class. I mean the only thing different about a cell phone is that it beeps, lights up, ect. and a binder with notes in it does not.

So making a huge issue out of cell phones is not going to do anything. Whenever I hear one go off I just cough very loudly and that usually adds not only a humorous touch but my students realize that they need to be turned off in class and away. If it becomes a problem I will obviously speak to them.

And also before tests TAKE THEM AWAY! Kids cheat on them now and they are very useful for that.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

so you have said that they aren't a problem, and then outlined exactly why they are a problem.

(noisy, disrupts class, and possibility of cheating)

If a kid has a cell phone in class, and it gets to a point where I need to take it up, if they refuse, they simply go and explain it to the admin. if they come back with it, I will send them back. Eventually, the admin will either do something about it, or I will get the cell phone, either way, no cell phone in the class.

You know what's ironic, my wife sells cell phones and a lot of my kids have got their cell phones from her. I still have no problem taking them up, and then listening to their stories about me to my wife later.

[Unregistered]

You know what's ironic, my wife sells cell phones and a lot of my kids have got their cell phones from her. I still have no problem taking them up, and then listening to their stories about me to my wife later.[/QUOTE]

THAT is funny!

[Unregistered]

Can a teacher turn on a electronic after taking it away from a student?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Can a teacher turn on a electronic after taking it away from a student?


I scroll through all the pictures on cameras that I take up, that way, if there are any innapropriate pics on the camera, (ie - pics of students showering in lockerroom), I turn it over to the proper authorities. If there aren't, I simply give it back at the end of the 9 weeks.

[Unregistered]

I am a 6th grade student and I belive it is okay to have electronics in school. Even if you don't like them, we will be bringing them anyway. No point in disregarding them because we don't care what you think. All of you guys who regard this are stupid!!!!! You can't make me do what you say. Your not my mommy.

ya, it is true they cant make us. its bull

[Unregistered]

I think cell phones should be aloud in schools as long as they aren't used during classes.
Locker breaks, lunch, at the buses are all examples of when cell phones wouldn't be a distraction to any lesson.
Now if they are being used during classes, or if they go off in classes, they should be taken up.


Yeah, im a 6th grade student at Creekland middle school.
The teachers use their phone during class, we cant?
It just seems unreasonable.
Think about it.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I think cell phones should be aloud in schools as long as they aren't used during classes.
Locker breaks, lunch, at the buses are all examples of when cell phones wouldn't be a distraction to any lesson.
Now if they are being used during classes, or if they go off in classes, they should be taken up.


Yeah, im a 6th grade student at Creekland middle school.
The teachers use their phone during class, we cant?
It just seems unreasonable.
Think about it.

I do, but teachers and students don't have the same rules. Get yourself a 4 year degree, you can use your cellphone too. I earned my right to decide whether or not I can use my phone. 11 y.o.'s haven't earned that right yet.

[Student]

Why can't we bring things like our cell phones, ipods, mp3 players and gameboys, to school? It's not like were gonna use them for anything bad. So, why not?

[lil_azn_teacher]

I think that electronics shouldn't be allowed in school b/c it is a big distraction in school. Kids pay more attention to their personal electronics then on their work or education. I also think that electronics shouldnt be allowed because when students lose it they blame it on other people. Thank you for listening to my opinion

- Teacher

[Unregistered]

I personaly think we should give our students one day of the week or month
where they can bring electronics(game boys,\CD players,I pods).I mean it's only fair!!

I think you should give act least two warnings before taking the device away...This way the students can't say you didn't give them any kind of warning.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I think you should give act least two warnings before taking the device away...This way the students can't say you didn't give them any kind of warning.

the school handbook is the only warning they need to get.

[Unregistered]

:D I think that home schooling is great for you. But facts being facts, I thought I would bring up one or two. Children who are molested are usually molested at home by a relative or "friend". Most critical injuries happen within 6 miles of home. Thousands of children are killed at home by accidents each year. More than two hundred times the number of children are kidnapped from home than off a school playground each year (parents in custody battles usually abduct from schools, strangers usually abduct children from home). Children are far safer at school than at home. Gun violence resulting in death usually happens within a few blocks of home. Feel good, feel excellent about being able to home school your children. But tout that using the facts, not feelings.

A Real Teacher, who would NOT educate my children at home. ;)

FACTS are easily obtained from a web search/FBI file case files/ CIA book of FACTS


the topic is about electronics..........not home schooling!

[Unregistered]

Can a teacher turn on a electronic after taking it away from a student?

that is really not right because they would be trespassing on students items and listen or look at the items on the electronic. (?)

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

that is really not right because they would be trespassing on students items and listen or look at the items on the electronic. (?)


wow, the ignorance on this thread just hit a new all time high with that statement....

Trespassing????? :rolleyes:

Statements like this are why kid's opinions don't mean diddly-squat in the real world.

Don't worry kiddies, we adults will continue to make the rules for you to follow since it's so painfully obvious by statements like this, that you are all still completely idiotic when it comes to real life.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

i am a student and we need them for emergencies

ding ding ding we have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


your school doesn't have landlines in EVERY CLASSROOM?

[lilaznteacher]

Hi everyone. I'm a teacher at a middle school and I don'it think that electronics should be allowed in

school because it distracts a lot of students from their education. Also, when a student(s) loses their

electronic(s), the parents will mostly blame on the school even though the parents should be blaming the

student. Some parents will file complaints and no school would want that. In addition, it would take a long

process to find out who stole the student's electronic. The owner of the lost electronic might also accuse

other people since the student is probbably mad or suspicous.

[banderson]

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

Why worry about students bringing electronics to school? Why not embrace it and take advantage of the electronics and technologies that our students choose to use? Everyday after 3 PM when they leave our classrooms, students are using iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, video games, digital cameras, video cameras, social networking sites, instant messaging, YouTube, and many more technologies. They use these to communicate, find and share information, and learn. Then they come to school at 8AM and instead of educators finding ways to use these technologies as a way to teach them on their turf and in ways they want to learn, we block access and deny them the use of these tools. What's wrong with that picture? Why not find ways to use the communication devices and technology tools that our students use everyday as educational tools? Why take them back to the stone age between the hours 8AM and 3PM everyday?

The message we're sending is that our schools are not progressive enough to understand what your preferred mode of communication and learning is and we'd rather just have you listen to lectures and do worksheets at schools. Do you think business operates this way? I think not. By denying access to the tools and technologies used everyday in the real world (the one outside of our classrooms), how are we teaching the 21st century skills that our students are going to need to be successful in society and higher education?

Technology Using Educator
Author: GuidesandTutorials
http://www.guidesandtutorials.com (http://www.guidesandtutorials.com)

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Why worry about students bringing electronics to school? Why not embrace it and take advantage of the electronics and technologies that our students choose to use? Everyday after 3 PM when they leave our classrooms, students are using iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, video games, digital cameras, video cameras, social networking sites, instant messaging, YouTube, and many more technologies. They use these to communicate, find and share information, and learn. Then they come to school at 8AM and instead of educators finding ways to use these technologies as a way to teach them on their turf and in ways they want to learn, we block access and deny them the use of these tools. What's wrong with that picture? Why not find ways to use the communication devices and technology tools that our students use everyday as educational tools? Why take them back to the stone age between the hours 8AM and 3PM everyday?

The message we're sending is that our schools are not progressive enough to understand what your preferred mode of communication and learning is and we'd rather just have you listen to lectures and do worksheets at schools. Do you think business operates this way? I think not. By denying access to the tools and technologies used everyday in the real world (the one outside of our classrooms), how are we teaching the 21st century skills that our students are going to need to be successful in society and higher education?

Technology Using Educator
Author: GuidesandTutorials
http://www.guidesandtutorials.com (http://www.guidesandtutorials.com)
that's the issue is communcation isn't always needed in cases of testing, etc.

I suppose instead of discussing, we should blog it from my laptop to their laptops, huh? Nevermind that, just like I am doing right now, kids will have tabbed browsing up and will not be particapating in a geography related internet discussion, they will be looking up youtube videos of skateboarders, or trying to log into myspace

In the real world, it's said that an employee wastes 2 hours of an 8 hour workday goofing around on the internet. Thing is, that's their problem if they miss deadlines, get fired. However in education, the teacher is blamed for a student missing deadlines, doing inappropriate stuff on internet, failing when the student does the same thing that adults do.

So, until KIDS are held accountable for their actions completely, and parents hold the accountable, then I'm not going to allow much more technology into my classroom.

[Unregistered]

i think MP3 players should at least be allowed during a test because it does help people concentrate on tests. i know it helps me. and i agree wth Student about cellphones because, i would want to know immediatly if my cousin was raped and murdered, too. i think that mr. chocolate is a power hungry tyrant and coward, and i think that he deserved every insult he recieved. by the way, is that your face?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

if it's important enough to know about immediately, then they need to come check you out and let you know then. It's not like telling you in the middle of 3rd period or waiting until you get home is going to make any difference in anything, anyways. :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

hey mr chocolate! care to reply to my slandering post? didn't think so, you cowardly ********************?

[Unregistered]

i'm in 5th period you retard. ha ha monkey face

[Unregistered]

reply already, you piece of crap

[Unregistered]

ha you ho! you did not write back monkey face to my friend

[Unregistered]

**************** face

[Unregistered]

i'm in 5th period you retard. ha ha monkey face

ha ha you ****************!

[Unregistered]

if it's important enough to know about immediately, then they need to come check you out and let you know then. It's not like telling you in the middle of 3rd period or waiting until you get home is going to make any difference in anything, anyways. :rolleyes:

ha ha **************** you

[Unregistered]

i dont like wut you said about addh kids

[Unregistered]

yoo hoo! i'm still here! it's been...... oh let me check my watch.................THREE DAYS! REPLY ALREADY! i'll be here. peace

[Unregistered]

yoo hoo! i'm still here! it's been...... oh let me check my watch.................THREE DAYS! REPLY ALREADY! i'll be here. peace

maybe you'd like to take away my watch, since it's an ELECTRONIC DEVICE! REPLY ALREADY!

[Unregistered]

yes they should...; JA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

Man, what is the big deal?! People are saying that electronics would disturb people in class, well last time I checked, the teachers had the authority to say "Please put that away right now". With MP3 players, teachers could tell their students when they could listen to them, and how loud that they could have the volume on. My brothers says that at highschool, the teachers normally let them listen to their music when they are workibg on a project for a long period of time!
i am in year 8 and they are totally banned. The only you can listen to them is if you have a nice teacher

[Unregistered]

Man, what is the big deal?! People are saying that electronics would disturb people in class, well last time I checked, the teachers had the authority to say "Please put that away right now". With MP3 players, teachers could tell their students when they could listen to them, and how loud that they could have the volume on. My brothers says that at highschool, the teachers normally let them listen to their music when they are workibg on a project for a long period of time!
i am in year 8 and they are totally banned. The only you can listen to them is if you have a nice teacher. A REALLY nice teacher

[kevin]

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

yes u guys should because to sum peoples it helps them consaterate thats my opinoin

[CATHARINE!!!]

I don't know what you guys are talking about, but electronics should be allowed. I think that the people that are caught using it while they aren't supposed to should get punished, and then school can move on with life.

[Breyonna]

I think we should use electrronics in miss falk's class.i think in every class it helps us concentrate and we will get our work done.i think we should use them when we are workin by ourselves and we will get our work done.http://www.teach-nology.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I got to take up a cell phone a kid was trying to text message with.

"but I was using it to see what time it was, I can't read that clock (the non-digital clock on the wall)"

Had it been a kid I liked, I would have said, "put it up", but this kid acts like a turd everyday for the 3 weeks he's been enrolled. So, easy decision, I take it up and sent it to the front office.

:D

[Alexis Jones]

ok im a 8th grade student at Jenks Middle School, and electronics should be allowed! they help us, the students retain information more accurately. studies have proven so. there is nothing what so ever wrong with a little inspiration to keep us students motivated!

[Unregistered]

I think we should allow electronics in school because if u leave them in ur locker tey could get stolen like mine did so i have my ipod and cell phone with me all day everyday.

[dodiewayne]

I got to take up a cell phone a kid was trying to text message with.

"but I was using it to see what time it was, I can't read that clock (the non-digital clock on the wall)"

Had it been a kid I liked, I would have said, "put it up", but this kid acts like a turd everyday for the 3 weeks he's been enrolled. So, easy decision, I take it up and sent it to the front office.

:D

All consequences should be the same for each child - You cannot play favorites and expect to earn the respect of your students. If you tell one to "put it up" - that must be the punishment for all.

[Unregistered]

OK, kids, if you're going to sign on and add your opinions (which all consist of: "yes, we should be allowed to do whatevertheheckwewant") please, for the sake of your teachers try to implement grammar and punctuation usage.

That being addressed, most students don't need cell-phones or music-related devices in school.. There are phones in the offices if not in every classroom.

concerned teen: i can understand your point about not needing them, however it is included in the charter of rights that we can express ourselves freely. That of course includes music. i believe that as long as it is not interfering with the lecture in any way, i don't see why there is such a hastle if you just want to listen to it during work periods.As for the phones, do you really want over six hundred students using the phone lines at school? I think that would be rather time consuming.

[Barry Sanders]

Thats bullcrap they should get electronics in school

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

All consequences should be the same for each child - You cannot play favorites and expect to earn the respect of your students. If you tell one to "put it up" - that must be the punishment for all.


says who. The real world works that way, you piss off of the boss, do you think that same boss will be your best ally when it comes to something you want or need? Heck no they won't.

Same thing here. If you are a turd in class and need my help when you earn a 59.4 and want a 59.5 so it can round up to a passing grade, guess what, you won't get it from me.

If you are busting your butt, a good kid, and whip out the cell phone, I will simply say "put it up"

[Pooh]

Last week I had a student do the same as Choc. I took up her phone. She gave the same excuse about seeing what time it was. No one needs to know what time it is. The student should work until the teacher says to put up or when the bell rings.

As for the student who thinks that electronics are a must in school... Guess what... that is why you kids can not read anything that is not digital.:eek:

Playing favorites happens everyday. Some people need to get over it. If I have a "good " student, I over look things sometimes. This is a privilege for knowing how to act right!

[Arius Gallegos]

I wery srongly dissagree because iam a high school freshman and the use of these electronics in the school have help some of the students improve their test scores. Now iam not saying that all students can help them selves improve but some can so it is worth a try. Inconclusion some schools should try it out for at least one year and see if it works and if it does not work then stop it.HI1 I too also agree that the students do not need to have these devices at school. However, do not disregard that sometimes things such as cell phones have a medical reason for being there. I have a 5 year old daughter who is a diabetic. She will be entering grade 1 in Sept. We are equipping her with a cell phone so she (or the teacher) can call us in a split second if there is any problem. I also need to have my cell phone on 24/7 when I am away from her. I know that this is the acception rather than the rule but just wanted to remind you to think of all possibilities. Thanks.

[KingKong]

i,m a middle schooler and i go 4 8 hrs. p.s. i HATE rap =(

Thats not the point. Im a middle schooler and i dont bring it to school for those reasons.

[Unregistered]

my message is that i agree that some students work better with the help of music and the could concentrate better.Thanks for putting your opinion in on the matter. You sound like a rocking teacker if you let your students do that i wish i had you as a teacher right about now. In our district, these devices are allowed before the entry bell and after the dismissal bell. They are to be in students' lockers otherwise. Personally, I teach English, and many of my students focus better with music; however, playing a radio is unfair to the students who need quiet. In this case, I allow CD players or mp3s. As for cell phones, no matter how often we tell students not to let others know their locker combinations, they share, and hey--things come up missing. Due to this, I allow students to have their phones in class, but they must be turned off and out of my sight. Students receive one warning, then I follow district policy and take them up. Since I do provide a warning first, I don't have any problems if I have take them.

[Unregistered]

I'm just a student at a school that does not allow electronics in schools and i know that its a good thing, but not always. I also know that study halls get quite boring with all the silence and most people have been known to work more efficiently while listening to music. I feel that electronics should be allowed to be in school in certain classes and at certain times during the day. I also feel that the teachers deserve respect while they are teaching and still have the right to remove those destractions from their classes.

[Unregistered]

Just let them do it! i mean, the students will love you if you just let them, but you have to make a deal with them, tell them that they are aloud to, but if they ever have more than 3 missing assignments they cannot, so they will get a treat but they will have to be getting good grades...

[Teacher in Sask]

My school is currently having this debate. Currently we have a no cell phones in class policy. My middle years kids follow the policy just fine. Some forget to turn them off and they will ring (one student had his MOM call him during class time - and she's the Director of Education!), but most are fairly good about it. My problem is with my Grade 10 class. I only teach one modified/adapted Grade 10 class, and most of the students in the class are 17 and 18 years old. I even have a 19 year old.

I am 26, 5'4" and 120lbs. This class causes me a lot of trouble as it is, even though there are under 10 kids in the class. They are rude, defiant, regularily late and absent, and always behind on their work. I have one student who refuses to allow myself or the TA to help him at all, and then blames us when he doesn't understand something, despite many offers of assitance. He is often late, leaves the class without permission and is generally obnoxious and ignorant. He refuses to turn his phone off, answers it during class and refuses to turn the phone over to me when I ask.

When I bring this up with the Administration, they tell me to call to the office and one of them will come and take it from him. After a week of doing this daily, they requested that I stop calling down to the office every day, because I need to be in control.

How do you take a cell phone away from an 18 year old? I haven't figured it out.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Don't call the office daily, send the student up to the office daily. I'm willing to bet that they will get tired of his attitude and end up suspending him for the same behaviors that they expect you to deal with. It sure is a lot easier to deal with turd kids when suspension is a discipline option. Too bad teachers don't have that option, too.

[QueenTeen13]

I don't see why not...what about recess and breaks when kids are bored? Or when there are major emergencies...as long as they are not in the way, i think that electronic devices are fine...

[Teacher in Sask]

Chocolate - Thank you for the helpful reply. We had a presentation during that class today, but I will try that tomorrow. The problem is, he will not go to the office when I tell him to and then I have to call someone from the office to come and get him. (I've fought this battle with him before). Even if I do succeed in getting him to leave the classroom, he will not go to the office, so I still have to buzz them to let them know he's on the way. He has yet to even be given and in school suspension, despite his behaviour because he is "overwhelmed" and "frustrated" because his class is graduating this year, and he is still taking Grade 10 classes. So he is babied, for lack of a better word, but the administration at my school.

Its so frustrating, because I do what the administration tells me to do, and then they get frustrated with me. Personally I think he should have been suspended a long time ago.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

do you have tenure? If so, send him out everyday if you have to, be a pain in the butt until they deal with him.

If you don't have tenure, well, your options are a little more limited. My suggestion, just survive for the next month until he's no longer your problem.

[Teacher in Sask]

Chocolate - I don't have tenure, but I have a permanent contract, and have already turned in my resignation, not because I hate the school - there are issues, there always are, but its not the worst place I've ever been, but because I'm on a part time contract in a small community where I don't fit in with the young people who stay around on weekends, and I am too far away from my friends and family to drive home every weekend the way the people I do get along with do because of gas prices, so I really don't worry about being a pain. I have a great reference from my Superintendent, and don't feel that finding a position closer to home will be a problem.

However, I do want to deal with this on my own when possible. For whatever reason, he was well behaved today, maybe because I offered him a candy as soon as he showed up for class on time (he has trouble with this). Even so, a group of his teachers spoke to the Chief from his Reserve today, and the Chief promised to speak to him about the problems as well. So I hope that will help as well.

Unfortunately for me, I have to deal with him for another 2 months... school here in Saskatchewan runs from the end of August until the end of June.

[Unregistered]

I am an 18 year old senior in high school, and happened to stumble on this looking for info to organize my thoughts for an article I am writing for the school newspaper.Below is the article, likely to be published. I myself am not a big electronic user inside of school, my cell phone is off in class, and if the teacher allows it, I listen to music only when I am doing work and the teacher isn't talking. I am not allowed to listen to music during my first class, and as a result I fall asleep. I work and go to night school so its difficult to get to sleep before 10.I also wake up at 5AM to reach my school on the bus. I have other special situations that have put me in my position, all of which are and were out of my control. Music keeps me awake and helps me concentrate. I know I am an exception in a way, but I still get treated with the hostility many teacher have for slackers and rule breakers.
I post this because its a good idea to get a different perspective.

Electronics Allowed in the Classroom
There is a topic in which many students and teachers have debated over since the development of the first handheld electronics, and that is whether they should or should not be allowed in school or in class. I believe they should but, as they have been, be put under restriction guided by first:the school and second:the teacher.
Electronic devices can be distracting in class. Someone who has their cell phone on distracts and disturbs the class when it rings. When a student receives a text or is texting in class, they are distracted from the task at hand. Many devices are also used to cheat in class.
However, they can also be a help. Many people can concentrate better as they listen to music. Cell phones are necessary for emergencies, especially if you have special conditions. Ipods can even be used as storage devices to transport documents and projects electronically.
Talk has been heard about the school banning electronics completely. That is not the solution. We should enforce the rules already in effect, as well as take privileges away from prior offenders. On the third offense, electronic use in class could be taken away completely. Any offenses other then that could follow with confiscation of the device,detention, and parent calls.
Electronics could be a good thing if the school allows it. There are always going to be students looking to break the rules. It wont help to try to erase the problem. The best way is to work with the problem, turning it into an asset.
-Jonathan Palmer

[Teacher in Sask]

I am an 18 year old senior in high school, and happened to stumble on this looking for info to organize my thoughts for an article I am writing for the school newspaper.Below is the article, likely to be published. I myself am not a big electronic user inside of school, my cell phone is off in class, and if the teacher allows it, I listen to music only when I am doing work and the teacher isn't talking. I am not allowed to listen to music during my first class, and as a result I fall asleep. I work and go to night school so its difficult to get to sleep before 10.I also wake up at 5AM to reach my school on the bus. I have other special situations that have put me in my position, all of which are and were out of my control. Music keeps me awake and helps me concentrate. I know I am an exception in a way, but I still get treated with the hostility many teacher have for slackers and rule breakers.
I post this because its a good idea to get a different perspective.

Electronics Allowed in the Classroom
There is a topic in which many students and teachers have debated over since the development of the first handheld electronics, and that is whether they should or should not be allowed in school or in class. I believe they should but, as they have been, be put under restriction guided by first:the school and second:the teacher.
Electronic devices can be distracting in class. Someone who has their cell phone on distracts and disturbs the class when it rings. When a student receives a text or is texting in class, they are distracted from the task at hand. Many devices are also used to cheat in class.
However, they can also be a help. Many people can concentrate better as they listen to music. Cell phones are necessary for emergencies, especially if you have special conditions. Ipods can even be used as storage devices to transport documents and projects electronically.
Talk has been heard about the school banning electronics completely. That is not the solution. We should enforce the rules already in effect, as well as take privileges away from prior offenders. On the third offense, electronic use in class could be taken away completely. Any offenses other then that could follow with confiscation of the device,detention, and parent calls.
Electronics could be a good thing if the school allows it. There are always going to be students looking to break the rules. It wont help to try to erase the problem. The best way is to work with the problem, turning it into an asset.
-Jonathan Palmer


The bolded statement there is actually another reason to ban them. It makes it too easy for students to cheat on exams, or even in class.

Now I agree, a lot of students do work better with music. However that only works if they actually WORK while listenning to music. In the past, I've allowed students to use their MP3 players in my class. The problem however this year, is that most of my students spend more time changing the song then they do working. They also try to share - which was something I very specifically stated was not allowed at the beginning of the year.

I have banned MP3 players for one of my Grade 8 classes, and my Grade 7 class. My other Grade 8 class, well it isn't even an issue, as none of those students even bring an MP3 player to class. My Grade 10 class, a small group, often listens to MP3 players and work quite well. Sometimes we even listen to music as a class (clean music we find on a website online) as a reward for working hard.

The fact is the minority that causes problems ruin it for everyone else. My school is considering a cell phone scrambler as one way to prevent students from using their phones during class time. The scramblers would be turned off during lunch and again after school, so students could use their phones during those times.

[Unregistered]

This is a very interesting argument. I believe they should not be allowed in the classroom. There is no consequence to playing a PSP, IPod, or any similar electronic music or gaming device in the schoolyard. However, there should be a ban if this would be accepted is to limit the rating of a game depending on the school. The middle school gaming restriction should be 13+. But, that is a subjective proposal. Thank you. Anon.
The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

[Unregistered]

I think that cell phones should be allowed like cell but you have too keep them on your desk at all times expect at lunch and i also thinl lab tops because a lot of people type faster than they write and music helps you thinl

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I think that cell phones should be allowed like cell but you have too keep them on your desk at all times expect at lunch and i also thinl lab tops because a lot of people type faster than they write and music helps you thinl

Guess you spend more time worrying about electronics in school and not enough time learning in school.

[Unregistered]

I think that teens should be allowed to use cell phones during any period because it shows character and also i think that if kids with A's can use cell phones at anytime during any hour

[Unregistered]

this is a good reason that kids should have cell phonesWhat grade level(s) are you talking about?

If it is high school, then I think that the students should be allowed to have cell phones only as long as they are turned off. If a teacher sees it or it becomes a problem in class, he/she should confiscate it and then call the parents about the situation. High schoolers should have cell phones for contacting parents for emergencies or for calling to pick them up from sporting events.

Middle school and younger should NOT have any cell phones, period.

As for the other electronics, I think that they should be allowed to some extent. If they become a problem in class, then take away the electronics. I work in an after school program for elementary, and many kids bring gameboys and cd players to play with and listen to during recess and the bus ride home. These kids know that if they bring out the toys and electronics, then they will get taken away.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;28504]I think that teens should be allowed to use cell phones during any period because it shows character and also i think that if kids with A's can use cell phones at anytime during any hour.we also could use cell phones cause is the only way if we have promplems in school we could call your parnts.

[Unregistered]

kid should be able to have electronics in school. just limit the times when they could use there cell phones. they should be able to use mp3 and ipods in studyhalls. the would behave better

[Anonymous Student]

i agree with most people on here. I am a mddle schooler geting ready to graduate, but i fel as thought students should be allowed ti haev mp3 players, cd players ipods whatever in the class to keep their attention i agree with the most of the people also saying that cell phones hsould be allowed in school but turned off during class hours. and i will end it there
N plz dont harass me about my grammar or even coming on thi siste thnxs for ready this
PS: we fight back becuz sometimes cell phones are the only things we have not like me though but srryforthe problems we just love our electronics

[W.Peterson]

My rule is, electronics are allowed, but never annoying.
Students cannot answer calls as the essential manner in classroom.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

My rule is, electronics are allowed, but never annoying.
Students cannot answer calls as the essential manner in classroom.


teacher of the year candidate right here :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

I have an 8th grade homeroom in a catholic school. In the student/parent handbook that everyone gets at open house there is a electronics paragraph. Both students and parents MUST sign off that they read the book.

Most of my students have cell phones mostly due to sports or after school activities. My own daughter (public school student) has one but I laid the law down on her phone. If I ever call it and it is on during school hours she loses it.

In my homeroom I have a mini-trash can with a lid. I got it at Target for $1 - comes in about 4 different colors. I wrote on the outside "Deposit eletronics here - thank you". In another area it read "Make sure they are off". When the students come in they deposit them in the can. At the bell for first period, I lock the can in a small closet in my room that only I have a key for. The last five minutes of homeroom/study hall in the afternoon I get the can out and personally hand the phones to the proper owner. No one is allowed to claim anyone elses phone! I know this takes 5 minutes (give or take) but it is well worth it. I am a new teacher to the school and on the first day I had 6 phones in the can before I even introduced the can to them.... and they say middle schoolers are clueless!! On any given day I can have 6-15 phones, i pods or mp3 players in there.

Our students lockers do not have locks so if they leave them in the locker and they get broken or are stolen... oh well, it's their problem. If one goes off... well I now have a phone that is nicer than mine. Mom and/or dad have to see prinipcal to get it back!!!!!

I have no problems so far this year and no complaints.

[Unregistered]

i think we should have electronics inthis school yayaya

[KMS101]

Kids bringing in electronics onto school-grounds should be banned. If a kid brings electrnics to school they might loose them, some might have stoled them, and it is a HUGE distraction to kids older and younger of age!! It's school, not Tech Ed.:cool:

[Unregistered]

I am a junior, and i have ADD. Listening to music for me is like one of the best stimulants. I think ipods/mp3 players should be allowed when the teacher is done talking, and students have busy work. Students would most likely work much better if they are tuned into music and tuned out from friends around them. I have one teacher who allows this, and it helps me greatly. Without music to help me concentrate, I get off task and talk to people around me. Please reply, i am also researching this topic.

[Unregistered]

Yes cell phonesssssssss(:

[Instructorus Rex]

There's no reason to have a cellphone in class. If there's an emergency your parents can call the office and they'll page you. If it's not an emergency it can wait. Deal with it.

There's no reason to have an mp3 player in class. If there's a time to listen to music I'll put some on that won't be distracting. If you'd like to whine about it please do so on your blog as opposed to in class as I could really care less.

I don't devote a great deal of thought to what students do with their electronics outside of class but when you walk through that door you should pretend you're entering an already in flight commercial aircraft that will plummet immediately to earth should you switch on any electronic device while the seatbelt sign is on. . .and the seatbelt sign is always on.

If I had my way all wayward electronics that found their way into my desk by being visible or audible at any point would be sold on ebay to fund a class trip.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

[quote=Unregistered;30963]I am a junior, and i have ADD. [quote]

ok, why would STIMULATING a kid with ADD seem like a good idea. it's like drinking coffee in order to go to sleep:rolleyes:

[For it all the WAY]

Electronics are wonderful! Music helps the creativity flow. I truly don't understand how teachers dislike such great little inventions. If my students have an iPod or MP3 i let them listen to it,just as long as it doesn't disrupt a fellow student. The cell phones are great as well. just as long as they are not texting or calling during my class.

[Instructorus Rex]

Electronics are wonderful! Music helps the creativity flow. I truly don't understand how teachers dislike such great little inventions. If my students have an iPod or MP3 i let them listen to it,just as long as it doesn't disrupt a fellow student. The cell phones are great as well. just as long as they are not texting or calling during my class.

Hmmmmm. . .little machines that play music and store data, small enough earphones as to make it rather difficult to detect. . .yes, what could go wrong?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Hmmmmm. . .little machines that play music and store data, small enough earphones as to make it rather difficult to detect. . .yes, what could go wrong?


I laugh because it's a middleschool kid pretending to be a teacher who allows it trying to convince 'fellow teachers' to join in. No agenda there, huh?

[Unregistered]

you know whatd be smart? putting the phones on vibrate insted of "off'

[Instructorus Rex]

you know whatd be smart? putting the phones on vibrate insted of "off'

Yes, that clearly embodies the term "smart". What else would make sense other than turning down the phone you can't answer in class anyway?

[Unregistered]

schools should let children express their selves freely and by letting them use electronics in school let them i am awesome and a pimp

[TechnoMage]

I subbed (teacher hell) in a school that allowed students to use "music devices" when appropriate, and with teacher permission. When "appropriate" was a constant fight, because students ALWAYS deemed it APPROPRIATE. It was always "OH, I thought we could", and hiding under hair, hoody, etc.. It created a problem where none existed before. Cell phones are another matter, but same problem. ON, off, vibrate, hide to use, blue tooth receivers, text me later/now/sneek peek, oh I thought it was off, it is just another distraction. Just leave them at home or locker or OFF.

Bad experiences.
TM:(

[Unregistered]

At my school Cell phones are supposed to be left at home or in your locker, but we have in the past had people steal them from lockers. Cell phones wouldn't be easy to steal with them on our person. I say that we should be able to keep them ON while in our Pockets. With all the after school programs, dances, and sports, we have to call and get rides to get from school to home. And if something were to happen, we could notify our parents in an instant. I agree that some students do use them at the wrong times though.

[Unregistered]

Yes, that clearly embodies the term "smart". What else would make sense other than turning down the phone you can't answer in class anyway?
2 things, 1 they could see whos calling to see if its imporant because normally a mother woulnt call her child during school for nothing and 2 is that all u do reading around in forums and "dissing" whatever anyone else says? I'm a christian and God turns his back on pride. You'd better think about that sometime

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

2 things, 1 they could see whos calling to see if its imporant because normally a mother woulnt call her child during school for nothing and 2 is that all u do reading around in forums and "dissing" whatever anyone else says? I'm a christian and God turns his back on pride. You'd better think about that sometime
I'm a Christian too, but this has nothing to do with faith, it has to do with kids not understanding boundaries. You don't have the right to do whatever you want, whenever you want.

Kids don't have equal rights to adults

if a message is important enough to interrupt class, then maybe it's something they should check them out for. Other than that, it's something that should have been told to them before or after school.

[Unregistered]

HI1 I too also agree that the students do not need to have these devices at school. However, do not disregard that sometimes things such as cell phones have a medical reason for being there. I have a 5 year old daughter who is a diabetic. She will be entering grade 1 in Sept. We are equipping her with a cell phone so she (or the teacher) can call us in a split second if there is any problem. I also need to have my cell phone on 24/7 when I am away from her. I know that this is the acception rather than the rule but just wanted to remind you to think of all possibilities. Thanks.







Wouldn't it make more sense to have the school nurse call from her phone? I mean really, if there is a problem it takes much less time for the child to walk down the hall to the nurse than it does for you to drop everything and drive to the school.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Wouldn't it make more sense to have the school nurse call from her phone? I mean really, if there is a problem it takes much less time for the child to walk down the hall to the nurse than it does for you to drop everything and drive to the school.

yes it would make more sense, but that's not the answer parents like this want to hear. They want to hear that their child doesn't have to follow the rules that everyone else does.

News flash - diabetic children have survived LONG before cell phones were invented.

[Unregistered]

I'm not a parent, but I think that If anything did happen I would want to know immediately... I wouldn't want to wait until a school nurse could get to it. If it was serious, she would be too busy taking care of the child to call anyone. With a cell phone, the child could get it to a teacher immediately, and the number might be found faster.
Why shouldn't kids have some of the same rights as adults? I understand that some would not be ready, but Shouldn't we leave that to the parent to decide wether or not their kid is ready? And If we are leaving it to the parents right now, Why are Teachers dictating who can have phones or not? Why do they get to take that right away?

[Unregistered]

Adults have their phones on all the time during work, Why shouldn't kids be allowed to have them at school? If they really don't want to learn, they wont; with or without a cell phone. If they really are interested, they won't let a silly cell phone keep them from learning. Though you may think otherwise, Most kids do have enough self controll to ignore a message, and not reply to it.

[Unregistered]

yes it would make more sense, but that's not the answer parents like this want to hear. They want to hear that their child doesn't have to follow the rules that everyone else does.

News flash - diabetic children have survived LONG before cell phones were invented.

Parents like What?!!! My dad TRUSTS me. He doesn't EXCLUDE me from the rules, He EXPECTS me to follow them. He knows that I know right from wrong, He knows that I know what the consequences will be. He doesn't allow me to get out of trouble or help me get out of it. If I get my phone taken away because I was Texting in class, He won't let me have it back untill he feels I'm ready to have it back, which is usually only after a month.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Parents like What?!!! My dad TRUSTS me. He doesn't EXCLUDE me from the rules, He EXPECTS me to follow them. He knows that I know right from wrong, He knows that I know what the consequences will be. He doesn't allow me to get out of trouble or help me get out of it. If I get my phone taken away because I was Texting in class, He won't let me have it back untill he feels I'm ready to have it back, which is usually only after a month.

then what are you so fired up about, I must have hit close to home for it to elicit such a defensive response.

I'm not against kids having cellphones

I AM against kids having cell phones in class and parents that think they are the exception to the rules. You know, parents that think "no cell phones is a good rule for YOUR child, but mine shouldn't have to follow that rule because of xxxxx reason"

[Unregistered]

I'm not a parent, but I think that If anything did happen I would want to know immediately... I wouldn't want to wait until a school nurse could get to it. If it was serious, she would be too busy taking care of the child to call anyone. With a cell phone, the child could get it to a teacher immediately, and the number might be found faster.








Why? If the situation has already been dealt with it does not matter if you know the second it happens or 30 minutes later. The child well be just as well taken care of and you wil get exactly the same information.






"Why shouldn't kids have some of the same rights as adults? I understand that some would not be ready, but Shouldn't we leave that to the parent to decide wether or not their kid is ready? And If we are leaving it to the parents right now, Why are Teachers dictating who can have phones or not? Why do they get to take that right away? "





Um, really? You don't see why a six year old would be distracted from her school work by a cell phone? As a teacher I turn mine off because I know the ring will disrupt lessons. Kids are not really responsible enough to consistantly remember to turn it off. The flip side of giving students the same rights as adults is that they have to be capable of the same responsibilities. It is not fair to expect a *child* to behave like an adult (even if tthe child's parent is a control freak/worry wart).

From a teacher's perspective there is also the theft issue. If a student steals my phone then I think "I should not have left it out where someone could grab it" I'll try to find out who took it but I know that I'll probably just have to buy another one. When a student brings a phone to school they usually don't keep track of where it is (they are children after all), but when it gets stolen everyone assumes that the teacher should have magically known exactly what everyone was doing and get the phone back. No one can closely examine the minute movements of 20 plus people at once while presenting complex information. If I am going to be held responsible for your child's possessions then I have the right to ban those possessions from my classroom.

[Instructorus Rex]

2 things,


You're not exactly earning points starting off your post with "2". Seriously, it's just two extra keys to attain an actual word "Two".


1 they could see whos calling to see if its imporant because normally a mother woulnt call her child during school for nothing


Does your school not have a secretary who answers phones at the front desk? Do you notice those antiquated looking things lurking around on teacher's desks that vaguely resemble a giant cellphone with a cord attached to them? Those are also known as "telephones" and, unbelievably, they work just as well as cellphones. It's almost like people used to use them to call each other all the time and, while they don't generally play mp3's, your parent can actually call the school secretary if they need to get a hold of you. That secretary can then "transfer" that call to your teacher's "telephone" if it's an actual emergency. Welcome to the wide world of a technology that's been around for over a hundred years.

There is absolutely no reason why a parent would need to call a student's cellphone instead of the school office who could then relay the message or the call.


and 2 is that all u do reading around in forums and "dissing" whatever anyone else says? I'm a christian and God turns his back on pride. You'd better think about that sometime

There are a lot of things in life about pride that you will hopefully learn. Not all pride is sinful, pride in the quality of one's work, for example, is a virtue if not taken to an extreme. Be careful when bringing theology into these kind of debates, it's usually a double edged sword. Speaking of Christian theology, as a student and Christian how do you feel about Paul's teachings about how Christians should view those "placed in authority over them"? Do you think the early Christian churches he was addressing had bigger grievances with the still pagan Roman empire than cellphone usage?

[Instructorus Rex]

I'm not a parent, but I think that If anything did happen I would want to know immediately... I wouldn't want to wait until a school nurse could get to it. If it was serious, she would be too busy taking care of the child to call anyone. With a cell phone, the child could get it to a teacher immediately, and the number might be found faster.


And this matters why? I am a parent and I would much rather have school staff attending to my child in an emergency than worrying about notifying me right away. It takes a matter of seconds for a teacher to relay a message to the office about an emergency concerning a particular student, the office has your parent's phone numbers on file. Thus while staff on the scene are attending to the emergency staff not on the scene can be coordinating with parents and/or emergency services.


Why shouldn't kids have some of the same rights as adults? I understand that some would not be ready, but Shouldn't we leave that to the parent to decide wether or not their kid is ready?


Parents can decide if their kids can have the same rights as adults, if parents feel strongly enough about it they can home school their kids and give them all the rights they want.

Consequently, you can see what happens when parents give their children all the rights of an adult on Springer regularly. Think back on your favorite teacher, how often were they the ones with lax rules and how often were they the ones with high expectations?


And If we are leaving it to the parents right now, Why are Teachers dictating who can have phones or not? Why do they get to take that right away?

Many replies come to mind on this one
-"because we're just that awesome"
-"because I have a 'arbitrary rule assignment' permission slip
-"because"
-"because teachers get a bonus from land-line telephone companies for discouraging cellphone use"
-"because teachers feed off the cellphone-deprived anguish of their students
-"because school is a place of business; when you walk into my room you are in the business of learning and you do not need a cellphone to learn."
-"because you agreed to a set of rules as a condition of attending this school, one of which was a cellphone policy"
-

[Megan56]

I have a friend who had her phone stolen from her locker. It's not hard to find the combination, you simply have to watch what numbers they put in. I think we should be allowed to keep them with us at least.
You seem to be underestimating how responsible kids can be. Maybe they act the way they do because their teachers don't give them the chance to show themselves. As for a six year old with a phone, there is a way to delete games ban texting from it. Simply ask the parents to take that off, or inform them of the billions of phones that control when they can text.
I don't think a kid under the age of 12 should have them though, unless there's a special circumstance like an illness. Also, one of the parents I babysit for has her kids walk to and from school. They use walkie talkies the whole way to school and home again, maybe you could suggest that.
Then again, cell phones can be a comfort to kids too. Knowing that they're not alone, that they can call a parent at a moments notice, makes everything easier.

[Instructorus Rex]

Cellphones are a luxury item. Millions and millions of children in the past and the present around the world have and do survive without them. So will you.

[Unregistered]

then what are you so fired up about, I must have hit close to home for it to elicit such a defensive response.

I'm not against kids having cellphones

I AM against kids having cell phones in class and parents that think they are the exception to the rules. You know, parents that think "no cell phones is a good rule for YOUR child, but mine shouldn't have to follow that rule because of xxxxx reason"

I just don't like people that insult parents, especially mine. You don't know the circumstances, so why are you judging? Plus they're not a distraction to most kids, if you know how to hold their attention. If they don't want to listen, they will find something to distract them even without a phone, the dots on the ceiling, the colors on the carpet, the clouds outside, how stupid this or that person is, how stupid the teacher is, the list is endless. You can't force a student to learn. Everyone can choose to change their opinion and that's something kids learn when they're really small.

[Unregistered]

Cellphones are a luxury item. Millions and millions of children in the past and the present around the world have and do survive without them. So will you.

You should take advantage of the luxury that is available to you. Luxury may be something like a feast to someone starving. Luxury may be a car. Are you saying we all should stop using cars? Luxury could be a warm bed to someone who has none. If you have the chance at luxury you should take it. In the past Luxury was a horse drawn carriage, now its cellphones, tomorrow teleporters. They change with the times. Luxury is an Opinion not a fact.

[Unregistered]

Ipods are ok during P.E. at my school, why shouldn't they be allowed during other classes? Some of my teachers put on music, but I find its more distracting, sounds of the sea and opera music make me think of the setting of the music instead of my work. When I do homework I usually have music on low enough that I can still concentrate on my homework, but It keeps me from falling asleep. (I do often fall asleep on my homework when I don't have something else to keep me awake.) Why should Ipods be banned?

[Unregistered]

Are all of you teachers so heartless as mine, that you would take away a phone even if it was off? I had mine off in my front pocket today and it still got taken away. My mom went and got it from the office for me, after yelling at me for "knowing better than to text during class." She doesn't believe that any teacher would take it away unless they had seen me texting or having it out. How many of you would?

[Instructorus Rex]

You should take advantage of the luxury that is available to you. Luxury may be something like a feast to someone starving. Luxury may be a car. Are you saying we all should stop using cars? Luxury could be a warm bed to someone who has none. If you have the chance at luxury you should take it. In the past Luxury was a horse drawn carriage, now its cellphones, tomorrow teleporters. They change with the times. Luxury is an Opinion not a fact.

I am definitely against cars, warm beds, horse drawn carts, and feasts (with some exceptions) in the classroom. Classrooms are for learning, cellphones do not help you learn thus, in the context of the classroom, they are classified as luxury items. Additionally, cellphones can be distracting. Connect the dots.

I would be, however, open to the idea of teleporters as I can think of some interesting applications there. . .especially if the technology has some "bugs" that need to be worked out and needs some test subjects.

[Instructorus Rex]

Are all of you teachers so heartless as mine,

Yes, it's a little known fact that part of every credentialing program requires aspiring teachers to become immune to the pitiful cries of students even in that most gut-wrenching of tragedies: the confiscation of cellphones.

[Unregistered]

Yes, it's a little known fact that part of every credentialing program requires aspiring teachers to become immune to the pitiful cries of students even in that most gut-wrenching of tragedies: the confiscation of cellphones.

But even if it was off? If you could see the outline of it in their pocket, just sitting there innocently, would you confiscate it? People get mad at kids for loosing it and blaming the school. I was trying not to loose it by keeping it with me. It was off and I hadn't taken it out since lunch. Would you do that?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

But even if it was off? If you could see the outline of it in their pocket, just sitting there innocently, would you confiscate it? People get mad at kids for loosing it and blaming the school. I was trying not to loose it by keeping it with me. It was off and I hadn't taken it out since lunch. Would you do that?

i would take it up for taking it out during lunch

[Instructorus Rex]

But even if it was off? If you could see the outline of it in their pocket, just sitting there innocently, would you confiscate it? People get mad at kids for loosing it and blaming the school. I was trying not to loose it by keeping it with me. It was off and I hadn't taken it out since lunch. Would you do that?

Me personally? No, I might ask you to put it away where it's out of sight but if I don't hear it and it doesn't interrupt me I generally don't care about it.

[Unregistered]

But even if it was off? If you could see the outline of it in their pocket, just sitting there innocently, would you confiscate it? People get mad at kids for loosing it and blaming the school. I was trying not to loose it by keeping it with me. It was off and I hadn't taken it out since lunch. Would you do that?


If it's school policy, absolutely I confiscate it.

Do you know all the reasons for the school policy? No -- not unless you've read the emails, the minutes of meetings, etc. Chances are good that even as a teacher I wouldn't know all the reasons. What I know is that it's against school policy to have cellphones at school.

Could there be a reason for prohibiting cell phones even if they're off and in a pocket, but visible? Absolutely. One obvious reason I could think of would be kids fighting over cell phones.

Heartless??? WTF? It's a flippin' cell phone, you'll live for a few hours.

Please note that I am the same poster who debated with CNO and Instructorus on Mookie Goo Goo's ipod thread (which involved potential loss). If you have a problem with the policy, take it up with the policy makers, not the policy enforcers. Schools can confiscate items they don't allow. They need to have a relatively clear policy and a written procedure for handling and return.

[Unregistered]

I think you may be confusing need with want or desire. Cell phones are not necessary. Yes, they are convenient. However, planning ahead and making arrangements ahead of time or carrying a phone card or change for a pay phone are options. If there is an emergency at school there are other ways of getting help.

I don't mean to be rude but have you ever considered that even if someone planned ahead of time, things could still come up? Besides people these days don't just carry change in thier pockets, now they carry credit cards. why do you think the public phone are rusting? As for the school phones, the people in there aren't always nice and let you use the phone. I'm a high school student, and let me tell you that cell phones come in really handy for after school clubs or last minute tutoring. And not only high school students need them but middle school and elmentry kids should carry one as well. I'm not just saying this because I like texting or anything like that cause to tell the truth I don't have a cell phone.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

you ever consider if the teacher isn't letting you use the phone in class, it's because it's not really important?

Kids think it's important to call if parents are 10 minutes late checking them out...

"can I call my mother, she said she was going to check me out during this class and she hasn't"

That isn't important enough to interupt class.

Even if plans change unexpectedly, messages can be delivered in a timely (not instant) fashion.

[Instructorus Rex]

I don't mean to be rude but have you ever considered that even if someone planned ahead of time, things could still come up? Besides people these days don't just carry change in thier pockets, now they carry credit cards.


Contrary to popular belief "change" is still available, I'm sure if someone was really determined they could turn up a quarter or two.


As for the school phones, the people in there aren't always nice and let you use the phone.


That will happen when you get asked over and over again to let student's use a phone for frivolous issues.


I'm a high school student, and let me tell you that cell phones come in really handy for after school clubs or last minute tutoring.


Every plausible use for a cellphone shares a common trait: they occur AFTER school is over. If you keep your phone off and in your bag (assuming that is allowed at your school) is there a reason you couldn't just turn it on after school? I'm still seeing exactly zero good reasons for phones to be on during school hours.

[Unregistered]

I don't mean to be rude but have you ever considered that even if someone planned ahead of time, things could still come up? Besides people these days don't just carry change in thier pockets, now they carry credit cards. why do you think the public phone are rusting? As for the school phones, the people in there aren't always nice and let you use the phone. I'm a high school student, and let me tell you that cell phones come in really handy for after school clubs or last minute tutoring. And not only high school students need them but middle school and elmentry kids should carry one as well. I'm not just saying this because I like texting or anything like that cause to tell the truth I don't have a cell phone.

Pfft. You do realize that since you're talking to a bunch of adults, we went through high school? And, in most cases, completely without cell phones?

You come across as a whiny spoiled child.

[Unregistered]

i hackin love fred and phones!!!! hahaha society

[Unregistered]

kids can't decide on their own bedtimes, what they need to eat for dinner, or that they need to pass class and stop letting friends prevent them from passing. What makes you think kids are anywhere REMOTELY ready to decide if they can listen to music in MY CLASS.
many stable families have given the choice to kids on what they eat and when their bedtime is so why can the schools be different like some of those families?

[Unregistered]

many stable families have given the choice to kids on what they eat and when their bedtime is so why can the schools be different like some of those families?




When students gather together they develop a herd mentally. Bright kids, who by themselves would make good decisions, end up doing what ever the dumbest kid in the group is doing.

[Instructorus Rex]

many stable families have given the choice to kids on what they eat and when their bedtime is so why can the schools be different like some of those families?

Honestly? I'm too busy to deal with it and, if you're in my class, so are you. You pick you're own bedtime and what you eat? Good for you! Look around your class, do you foresee everyone being able to do this in a responsible manner? No? Didn't think so. They're just toys - you'll survive. Unless that ipod has a lead running to a pacemaker needed to regulate early onset heart failure you'll make it to the end of the day doing without.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

many stable families have given the choice to kids on what they eat and when their bedtime is so why can the schools be different like some of those families?

another case of the tail wagging the dog. It's no wonder teachers have such problems when parents can't hold up their end of the deal.

[Random]

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

Well actually think we should allow them, but only to students who deserve it .I also believe they shouldn't be allowed in class, but during break time. Most people are qualified to have these opportunities, but this is just my opinion.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

that's because you are a kid :rolleyes:

[Student 1001]

I am in school in some cases I do need to listen to my MP3 but only once a week.

[Unregistered]

I am a 6th grade student and I belive it is okay to have electronics in school. Even if you don't like them, we will be bringing them anyway. No point in disregarding them because we don't care what you think. All of you guys who regard this are stupid!!!!! You can't make me do what you say. Your not my mommy.

I'm a fifth grader and totally agree that even though electronics aren't allowed in school students still bring them. Really students don't care what is not allowed or not by the teachers. There is no point in telling us we cannot bring them. Give it a rest .........we will still bring electronics to school no matter what you say.

[GreenChic]

In my school we search and seize electronics. Im all for S and S because i work in a school that specializes in rehabilitating students with behavior problems. These electronics are distracting to everyone, and usually appear right after xmas holiday break and home visits. (our kids reside on campus)

First we give the student an opportunity to hand over the electronics voluntarily. If this dosent produce results, we take it a step furthur and pat kids down from shoulder to feet. Male staff search boys, female staff search girls and everthing is done publicly. It can be humiliating for some, so we encourage kids to just hand it over before we do a public search of pockets and bags.

[Unregistered]

I do think cellphones should be banned because i no other students who use there cell phones to text each other in class and after an hour or so of texting they look up from what they are doing and don't understand what the hell is going on in class and have to ask o thers around them what was going on and this happens ALL THE TIME!!! I think cell phones should be aloud to be kept in lockers for after or before school use NOT DURING CLASS!!!!


Not everybody who has cell phones do that!!! Stupid!

[Unregistered]

Posted by: Kevin Andreyo

In a recent article by Allen November titled, “Banning Student Containers” the author describes new technology devices as ‘containers.’ He says…What have we done? We, as educators, have decided that the tools or containers that our students use when they are home are inappropriate for school and learning. We have decided that because we do not like the content students produce on blogs without adult supervision we will not let them near a blog, even with adult supervision. What do we think would happen to student motivation if we actively tapped the containers our students want to use? Educators should co-opt them. What if we had blocked all use of paper at one point because, early on, a student had written some inappropriate content with¬out a teacher’s guidance?
If we could get past our fear of the unknown and embrace the very tools we are blocking (which are also essential tools for the global economy) then we could build much more motivating and rigorous learning environments. I can’t agree more with his viewpoint. The full article can be found at http://novemberlearning.com/resources/archive-of-articles/banning-student-containers/

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Posted by: Kevin Andreyo

In a recent article by Allen November titled, “Banning Student Containers” the author describes new technology devices as ‘containers.’ He says…What have we done? We, as educators, have decided that the tools or containers that our students use when they are home are inappropriate for school and learning. We have decided that because we do not like the content students produce on blogs without adult supervision we will not let them near a blog, even with adult supervision. What do we think would happen to student motivation if we actively tapped the containers our students want to use? Educators should co-opt them. What if we had blocked all use of paper at one point because, early on, a student had written some inappropriate content with¬out a teacher’s guidance?
If we could get past our fear of the unknown and embrace the very tools we are blocking (which are also essential tools for the global economy) then we could build much more motivating and rigorous learning environments. I can’t agree more with his viewpoint. The full article can be found at http://novemberlearning.com/resources/archive-of-articles/banning-student-containers/

except teachers didn't get sued when a drawing of boobies was passed around like they do when a picture is sent to everyone in the school. Now instead of disrupting one kid in one class, kids can disrupt 10 kids at a time, in 10 different classes

[Unregistered]

I personaly think we should give our students one day of the week or month
where they can bring electronics(game boys,\CD players,I pods).I mean it's only fair!!

finaly a teacher that under stands

[Instructorus Rex]

finaly a teacher that under stands

What if we provided two days a week during which students could use electronic devices however they want? Let's call them "Saturday" and "Sunday".

[Unregistered]

What grade level(s) are you talking about?

If it is high school, then I think that the students should be allowed to have cell phones only as long as they are turned off. If a teacher sees it or it becomes a problem in class, he/she should confiscate it and then call the parents about the situation. High schoolers should have cell phones for contacting parents for emergencies or for calling to pick them up from sporting events.

Middle school and younger should NOT have any cell phones, period.

As for the other electronics, I think that they should be allowed to some extent. If they become a problem in class, then take away the electronics. I work in an after school program for elementary, and many kids bring gameboys and cd players to play with and listen to during recess and the bus ride home. These kids know that if they bring out the toys and electronics, then they will get taken away.

I'm in Middle school, grade 7, and I think that cell phones should be aloud, not during classes, but for sporting events and emergencies...when there in high school there 16...I'm 13 that's old enough

[Unregistered]

The school that I teach at does not allow electronic devices. (disk men, Ipods, mp3 players) Cell phones are allowed as long as they are turned off. We, that is the teachers, are permitted to take these things away if the are present during teaching hours. DO u think this is fair? Should we have electronic devices in our schools? What are ways we can prevent "accidents" with these electronics.

I am asking these questions because they appeared in our school news letter, and i was the teacher selected to be the voice of the others (the other teachers) i also wanted to include other teachers as well please any advise will help and opinions!

thanks a bunch

i personally think kids shouldn't listen to them during class but we should cut them some slack because they're not bugging anyone during recess or passing periods but they should be confiscated like i said during class so they're not tempted to listen to them. then after class they should collect their belongings and get on with their lives. they shouldn't get in trouble for their choses with their stuff but that's just my opinion.

[Joe W.]

I am currently a 7th grade student at Lynden Middle School and I beleive cell phones and music player should be allowed a certain times. during class music players can help kids concentrate and work harder with motivation. I think Middle Schoolers should be able to use cell phones before school, at lunch, and after school. This can help communication with friends and give you something to do at lunch. You could just text a friend to find out where they are and go hang out with them. That is my opinion.

-Joe W.
Lynden Middle School Student

[Unregistered]

fu** ur teacher and just use them :P

[Cameron W.]

Joe u rock man! I so agree with the lunch idea. And music definately helps me work in class... LMS should adopt joes idea.

Cameron W.
Lynden Middle School student.

[electronics]

U need to have electronics in school!!!! Plzzzzzzzzzzzz electronics can help u consertate so we need to have them and there aswome

[RYAN]

Cam why did u do it but i agree too electronic should be alwoed in school

[Unregistered]

yoooo!!! heck no! electronics should be allowed in school! u can keep in touch with ur friends in classes by texting and wat if u have a boyfriend or girlfriend? you need to talk to them when your in class dawggg!!! OMG ELECTRONICS ROCK!!

[Unregistered]

well im a high school student. i think cell phones chould be aloud for emergency purposes. if they're out of the techers sight, they shouldn't be a problem. whereas mp3s and such should be aloud, to an extent. if the teacher is giving a lesson or instructions no. but if the students are working in quiet, we should be aloud to listen to out music as long as we stay on task. i personally work better with my fellow students blocked out.

[khaplushkish the maximum]

Electronics are a huge part of my life since how i live in a po dunk town in idaho. as i read your plea and typed this reply i was listening to my mp3 and texting. i am in school as it is. its ok to do this here. it helps me concentrate on my work. its a fact that without my music i can only type about 20 words per minute but with it i can type about 65 wpm. i like those statistics.

[Unregistered]

the watch and hear porn all day yes they masturbate there selves everyday hard

[Unregistered]

What grade level(s) are you talking about?

If it is high school, then I think that the students should be allowed to have cell phones only as long as they are turned off. If a teacher sees it or it becomes a problem in class, he/she should confiscate it and then call the parents about the situation. High schoolers should have cell phones for contacting parents for emergencies or for calling to pick them up from sporting events.

Middle school and younger should NOT have any cell phones, period.

As for the other electronics, I think that they should be allowed to some extent. If they become a problem in class, then take away the electronics. I work in an after school program for elementary, and many kids bring gameboys and cd players to play with and listen to during recess and the bus ride home. These kids know that if they bring out the toys and electronics, then they will get taken away.

The sentence "Middle school and younger should NOT have any cell phones, period." i have to strongly disagree with. All the resons a High schooler should have a cell phone also apply to those children in middle school and younger.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

like getting into a car wreck or having some other car related issue when a phone may not be available?

a middleschooler will survive, I promise, without a cell phone. And one day, when you grow up, you'll realize the difference between a want and a need

[Unregistered]

Ouddam its ouddum

[Unregistered]

I am a 10th grade student in Ohio. I am doing a Revolution project for school and myself to try and allow ipods in school during individual worktime, hallways, lunch, ect... but put away during lecture, group work, and like movies and such. I think that mp3's are a great way to stay focused on self work instead of falling prey to distractions like talking, doodling, and wandering eyes... I could really use some teacher and student opinions on this topic if any one would like to comment or reach me personally i would be very greatful.

[SamSohnlee]

WOW, I wasn't logged in when i posted this so, this is the profile to respond to if you wish. Feedback is greatly appreciated.

I am a 10th grade student in Ohio. I am doing a Revolution project for school and myself to try and allow ipods in school during individual worktime, hallways, lunch, ect... but put away during lecture, group work, and like movies and such. I think that mp3's are a great way to stay focused on self work instead of falling prey to distractions like talking, doodling, and wandering eyes... I could really use some teacher and student opinions on this topic if any one would like to comment or reach me personally i would be very greatful.

[Unregistered]

WOW, I wasn't logged in when i posted this so, this is the profile to respond to if you wish. Feedback is greatly appreciated.

I am a 10th grade student in Ohio. I am doing a Revolution project for school and myself to try and allow ipods in school during individual worktime, hallways, lunch, ect... but put away during lecture, group work, and like movies and such. I think that mp3's are a great way to stay focused on self work instead of falling prey to distractions like talking, doodling, and wandering eyes... I could really use some teacher and student opinions on this topic if any one would like to comment or reach me personally i would be very greatful.




The only way that I see teachers buying into this plan is if you somehow wrote in a provision stating that no school personnel were responsible for the theft of ipods. This would have to include times when ipods had been confiscated due to innapropriate use.

Here is the big secret about teachers and rules: we set up rules to cover worst case senarios. When kids are behaving well we allow the rules to blur a little. When kids are actively misbehaving we clamp down and follow the letter of the law.

Before I became a teacher I had a job as a sub. It often surprised me that students were oblivious to the connection between their misbehavior and lack of freedom, where as good behavior usually led to a great deal of freedom.

A perfect example of this is a rule at the local Y stating that minors are not allowed in the weight room without an adult escort. As long as the kids are polite and use the equipment appropriately the rule is not enforced. The second a kid begins to use profane language or abuses the the equipment the rule is used. If you want the school to allow ipods then you will need to think about all of the ways that your peers might abuse the priviledge, and the write in air tight rules that allow that behavior to be effectively dealt with-without being a big inconvenience to the school's staff. Knowing how disrespectful some children are I doubt that this can be accomplished. It's too bad that the kids who would follow the spirit of the rule can't use ipods-but then you only have a few more years to go till you graduate-college and the working world have fewer rules because the people who do not show consideration for others are washed out of those two environments.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I'll touch on a few key points you made

rules are to be enforced no matter what. Good behavior doesn't allow you to speed.


Teachers are already NOT responsible for iPods

[Unregistered]

Children’s grades going down letter by letter each quarter; I wonder why. My honest opinion is I think that their grades are going down because kids all over Wisconsin are too busy listening to music, playing PSP’S, I touches, cameras, and many more distractions. Just imagine kids actually bringing them to school. It’s bad enough that’s all they do when they’re at home, if electronics would be allowed in school kids would be failing in a heartbeat! I don’t think electronics should be allowed in school.
Kids in my school that aren’t doing so well with their grades I often see them fooling around and on computers all the time. When kids have electronics in school (when allowed), they become selfish are greedy. They act like jerks just because they have a cell phone or I pod of some sort.
If I pods were allowed in school, kids would get jealous and try to steal the electronics that other kids have. Then parent would get mad and argue with the teachers about it so two sides would be mad also. I doubt that the principal would want parents calling and complaining that their child’s I pod has been stolen; then the teachers would get into it and a big fight would start.
If kids had cell phones in school, they could be able to go on the Internet and maybe look at sites that are blocked on MPS Internet, but not on their phone. They could also call outside of school, maybe they were in a fight, they could call people and invite them to come and help. If cell phones were allowed in school, kids would be texting in class and not focused on work in school.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

kids, as a group, don't have a shut off switch where they can listen to ipods during "their time" and then put it up when it's time to listen to teacher. They aren't that responsible. Sorry.

And since they aren't responsible enough as a group, the group never gets the privaledge in my class.

[Unregistered]

I'll touch on a few key points you made

rules are to be enforced no matter what. Good behavior doesn't allow you to speed.









Not completely true. If you apply your breaks when you see a cop then most cops won't write you a ticket. Most cops take a driver's level of awareness into account. In a black and white world that isn't fair. Thank goodness the real world revolves around the more ambiguous, "You treat me right, and I'll treat you right. You treat me badly and there well be h.e.l.l. to pay."


Though I agree that there is no reason for ipods in the classroom, and I would never actually allow them. That said, there are some rules that I loosen up on when I have a group of kids that can handle it. I seem to remember you stating that you bend your bathroom policy for kids who you know aren't going to abuse it.

In real life if you treat someone like a jerk then they will treat you like a jerk-nothing personal, just societies way of regulating itself. The same thing holds true in schools. The parents who have an endless list of complaints get the brush off. The parents who are active in the PTA get to choose their kid's teacher. The kid who works hard and behaves well often gets their grade rounded up a few points. Its politics versus black and white morality-the sooner kids learn that the easier they will find it to navigate through life.

Here's a quote that has always stuck in my mind, "The farther you get from highschool the less people care about your success". Although the speaker meant this to mean "self advocacy is important" but I often interpret it as "once you're out of school fewer people are going to put up with your c.r.a.p., so be nice or get used to societies not-so-gentle-noose around your neck".

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

got any stats to back up that claim of "hitting your breaks gets you out of tickets?


full of crap

[Unregistered]

got any stats to back up that claim of "hitting your breaks gets you out of tickets?






Statistics, no. Life experience, yes.







full of crap





I'll take this to mean that you aren't able to get out of tickets. I refer you to the "treat people like jerks and they will treat you like a jerk" arguement.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

life experience :rolleyes:

I don't get tickets because I don't speed. the 5 times I've been pulled over in 17 years, I also have not been given tickets


you got lucky. More likely, by a cop on the end of his shift who didn't want to give paperwork. Pumping brakes = Guilty plea

[Unregistered]

life experience :rolleyes:

I don't get tickets because I don't speed. the 5 times I've been pulled over in 17 years, I also have not been given tickets


you got lucky. More likely, by a cop on the end of his shift who didn't want to give paperwork. Pumping brakes = Guilty plea







You poor, poor soul. By not speeding you are missing out on one of lifes joys. BTW in the passed 17 years I have never been pulled over, though I have used the pressing on the brakes tequinique many times, often in the middle of the day. The reason that cops enforce the speed limit is to lessen the risk of accidents. If you show them that you are paying attention then they don't see you as an accident waiting to happen.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

You poor, poor soul. By not speeding you are missing out on one of lifes joys. BTW in the passed 17 years I have never been pulled over, though I have used the pressing on the brakes tequinique many times, often in the middle of the day. The reason that cops enforce the speed limit is to lessen the risk of accidents. If you show them that you are paying attention then they don't see you as an accident waiting to happen.

omg - you are an idiot if you think a cop doesn't give tickets because you pump the brakes. It tells the cops you KNOW you were speeding and didn't give a flip about it.

you not getting tickets = luck
me not getting tickets = not breaking the law


Luck runs out

[Unregistered]

Lucky, me? Since luck is when opportunity meets preperation, then yes, I am lucky. I pay attention to where the speed traps are and use good judgement. Here is a situation that always blows me away.

Speed trap-limit 55: drivers idiotically insist on driving 60

Further down the road, out of speed trap-limit changes to 60: drivers continue to idiotically drive 60

Me, I toe the line in the speed trap and then jump the speed up to 65 the second that I am in a different juresdiction. I take the situation into account. If there is no one on the road, and the road is hazard free, then I see no problem with going faster. On the other hand, if its raining and there is heavy traffic, then I will often drive below the speed limit. Its all about using common sense and being proactive. Speed limits were created for people who don't see the bigger picture/public safety. The more inconsiderate people a society contains, the more rules society has to have. Schools have more rules as part of routine life than the real world because A. schools contain a greater cross-section of society(vs the workplace) and B. Children are naturally less considerate than adults.

As far as my luck running out-that's fairly empty. If I get a ticket once every 20 years, I can live with that. The speed limit doesn't effect my life that much. You, on the other hand, are effected by the speed limit every time you drive.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

lollies - there is no opportunity meeting preperation involved in not getting tickets.

I'm sure this pushing of the limits works great for your classroom management, too. Bwahahaha

[Unregistered]

lollies - there is no opportunity meeting preperation involved in not getting tickets.

I'm sure this pushing of the limits works great for your classroom management, too. Bwahahaha








Actually, it does. By teaching my students how to logically argue and identify underlying principles, I end up with very high class standardized test scores.

Also, don't confuse pushing the limits with not having limits. I let my students know that if they work hard I will bend over backwards to help them. But if they behave in a rude, offensive way, then I will make their life less pleasant. For example, I only grade in class work so I expect it to be done on time. If they fart around and don't get it done then it reflects in their grades. I don't see any reason why I should inconvenience myself by allowing them to do make up work. On the other hand, if a kid is working hard, but just doesn't get it, then I find ways to carve out time to help that child achieve competence. Trust me, it shows in their GPA.

[wrong way fish]

Not that this has anything to do with this thread, however I do think police are more lenient with drivers who brake when they see the cruiser. It is a sign of respect. When you see the car you break slightly and it does show them that you respect them enough to slow in their presence.
On the other hand I try to brake before I pass them so they don't see the brake lights ;0!
They are human too they know people speed. I agree with the other posters who stated that if you are aware enough of your surroundings to slow down you are in control of your vehicel.
Just my opinion....

[Unregistered]

CNO-:crickets

[nymphadora]

clearly not an english teacher

and i disagree

wow.. i think we should be aloud to use phones during class because its our education and we can choose to throw it all away. and if we cant use them during class then at least during lunch!!

[Unregistered]

wow.. i think we should be aloud to use phones during class because its our education and we can choose to throw it all away. and if we cant use them during class then at least during lunch!!












Until you pay the taxes that pay for the education that you receive then you do not have the right to throw education away. Your post clearly shows why I am opposed to the welfare system-its full of self absorbed punks who would rather have a hand out than a hand up.

[Unregistered]

I'm glad this thread is made where I can gain a lot of useful and informative input.


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[Unregistered]

i think we should be able to have ipods and phones in school cuz some people work better with music and if we need somethin from home we should be able to text someone for it.

p'n'p
69 4ever

[Unregistered]

We need to embrace technology, learning when, and how to use these devices is critical to everyones career. I know so many adults that are held back because of thier lack of knowledge of technology. Lets take for instance an example of a farm. Kids drive tractors and truck not because they want too it's necessary to help out on the farm. One can not learn how to use something unless they use it.

Like it or not technology is part of our lives to be smarter and more efficient with out it you will be left behind. Which leave people like myself having to pay taxes on programs to enable those who did not get the proper training.

We should not keep technology from them however we need to provide discipline on the usage of these devices.