How to deal with cellphones in the classroom
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Smartphones are an amazing tool that benefits us in so many ways, but sometimes they can be a distraction for our students. I am trying to incorporate more technology in the classroom, but I find that in an ESL setting, we also need times when students are writing with their pen to the paper. (I actually prefer the use of laptops over smartphones in my ESL classroom, due to the fact that they offer the collaborative benefits of a smartphone without the texting/messaging distractions.)
I find that unless I have a scheduled task in which technology (cell phones) is used, they tend to become more of a distraction than a help.
For that reason, I have started using the system in the picture below to stow cell phones during class. Note: This system could also just be used on certain tasks like tests and major assignments in which cell phones are not necessary.
I don’t claim to be the first to use this method. I saw it on a meme site recently and thought it was a great idea. Here I would like to also tell you how I use the system.
To the reader, please remember that I am in an ESL setting where students need to learn the English writing system, and I am in no way condemning the use of cell phones in the class for FOCUSED activities. However, cheating, plagiarizing, and taking pictures of secure testing materials has caused me to rethink just how lax I want to be in allowing cell phones during general class time.
I hope that this solution will help some of you in your quest to balance the use of technology with traditional instruction.
Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I know that my opinion is evolving.
“Do you think we should fully embrace the use of cell phones in the class? Should we do so but cautiously? Should we fully reject their use and stick to traditional methods of instruction?”
