Cell Phones in Schools? Yes, in Some Schools

For the last 3 years, I have studied and learned about many schools and their cell phones/technology policies. Many of those schools are rapidly updating those policies and some are simply throwing the "no cell phone" rule out the window and use the phones as a learning device and to actually teach students how to use phones like an adult. While these schools are few and far between, the number is growing. I read a recent article about a principal who is using a variety of new technology and allowing students and parents to do the same. In fact, he is having his school and staff embrace students with cell phones and actually having students use cell phone technology in class. Click here to read the article.

After reading the article, I am interested in the thoughts of both students and teachers. While I think the idea is a good one, I realize that we are not ready for this here at Carlisle. I think students and staff need to work together for a year or two to plan the way we look at and use cell phones in schools. I also believe this should be done at the high school level, but not at the middle school level. Maybe someday, but not yet. The schools where cell phones are used in class are almost all high schools and that is where the studies are showing they can work. I have not found any studies on middle schools yet. Bottom line is technology is changing rapidly and schools need to constantly review how we use or don't use technology and what our rules regarding technology currently states. If needed, those policies need to be studied and updated. What are your thoughts?