Finding a teacher to interview for this assignment was quiet difficult. My district has a strict out of sight/off policy. I reached out to my fellow facebook friends and didn't find anyone. I was at a loss at what to do! Then I thought to myself.... EDMODO! I found the Technology in the Classroom group there and posted for any interested teachers. Luckily, I found two teachers to interview. I will post a summary of both interviews.
I interviewed Vanita Vance from College Station Independent School District. She works at College Station High School. Email Blog
1. What is your school district’s policy regarding cell phones?
At the beginning of the year, her district institutined a bring your own device policy. This policy includes the use of cell phones. She stated that " The acceptance of and use of cell phones and other digital technology in their classroom is up to the individual teacher."
This is a copy her school's policy.
COLLEGE STATION ISD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK – 2012
ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
The use of electronic devices such as Kindles, Nooks, iPads, laptops/notebooks, cell phones, cameras, and similar items may be allowed by an individual teacher for student use during instruction; however, that use will only be for an approved educational purpose and only with the permission of a teacher at appropriate times in the lesson. However, electronic devices shall not be visible or activated on campus by students except by permission from the school administrator or classroom teacher. Electronic devices visible or activated at school without permission may be kept in the school office and may be picked up by a parent. The school is not responsible for the replacement of any confiscated, lost or stolen items.
Policies Related to Electronic Devices and Cell Phones:
· The teacher in the classroom has the final say on procedures in the classroom. If he or she asks the student not to use the device, then the student must follow those directions. Access is available but not guaranteed for each classroom situation.
· If a student violates a teachers’ classroom policy a referral will be submitted to the Assistant Principal.
· If a student chooses to not bring their device, he/she will still be able participate in the classroom activities.
· Users of the CSISD wireless network have filtered internet access just as they would on a district-owned device.
· By connecting to the CSISD wireless network, users accept the terms of the CSISD Responsible Use Guidelines, located in the Student Handbook. (If you need these, let me know)
· Electronic devices will be allowed in the hallways during passing periods and at lunch. Audio from electronic devices should only be heard by the user through headphones. Students should abide by the one ear bud in, one ear bud out rule so that they can follow any directions and respond to staff members.
Student Responsibilities Related to Electronic Devices and Cell Phones:
· The technology devices students bring to school are their sole responsibility.
· The campus or district assumes no responsibility for personal devices if they are lost, loaned, damaged or stolen.
· Each student is responsible for his/her own device: set-up, maintenance, charging, and security. Staff members will not store student devices at any time, nor will any District staff diagnose, repair, or work on a student’s personal telecommunication device.
· Each student is responsible for bringing devices to school fully charged and in good working order.
· Students must keep devices in silent mode or vibrate mode while riding school buses and on school campuses, unless otherwise allowed by a teacher/staff member.
I wish my school district had this policy. I think this policy covers all the bases for the school and the teacher. It leaves the decision with the individual teacher. I think cell phones and other devices add so much too the educational experience of the student. These students have grown up around cell phones. It is time to embrace this technology.
2. How long has your district had this policy?
This is the first full year of the policy’s implementation; prior policies were relaxed toward the end of last school year.
What was the policy before?
Students (high school) were allowed to have their devices on and activated but silent in the classroom and were not allowed to use them during the school day except at lunch. She began implementing the new policy earlier than last year to allow my own students to use them as needed as a calculator or timer or to look up information on the internet – but ONLY with permission.
3. What has been the parental feedback regarding this policy? Have they been supportive of the use of cell phones in the classroom?
Parents have been supportive of the policy –She has heard nothing negative about it from that sector.
4. Do you have your own rules regarding cell phone use in your classroom? What are they?
She is pretty liberal about letting them use phones as research & note-taking tools – a number of her students use Evernote to take their notes. They may listen to their music when doing seatwork but I do not allow this during direct instruction. They are not allowed to make phone calls & text during class, although she aware that texting occasionally occurs.
This mirrors my thoughts that the classroom teacher needs to set his/her own boundaries for cell phones. Texting is happening now in my school, even with the zero tolerance policy. We might as well use them for educational purposes as well.
5. What problems or challenges have you faced using cell phones in the classroom? (with the students use, policy, technical, etc)
Just this past Thursday, one student reported to me that another was looking up test answers on her phone while taking a test. This hasn’t been a real problem so far, but must be addressed with the individual student and the class as a whole upon our return to class next week.
6. How often do you use cell phones in your classroom?
She uses them pretty much daily.
7. How do you use cell phones in your classroom?
Many students use them to take notes, take pictures of diagrams and information on the SmartBoard, to research answers, to view content posted on Edmodo, and similar tasks.
8. What programs do you use? How do you integrate them?
She also has a class set of iPads that she uses from time to time. (I am super jealous of this. I wish I had daily access to technology like this!) There are several apps her students can use as needed. she is a science teacher – She had her students make “safety movies” on the iPads at the beginning of school & upload them to Edmodo as a method of reviewing laboratory safety. She has also used Remind 101 as a tool to remind students of assignments, projects, etc. There are a number of apps which allow the use of cell phones and other devices as digital response tools (i.e., clickers).
There is just so much out there to use! I found iPad history programs, maps, videos, webquests. I really would like to take advantage of this more!
9. I come from a district that has a strict, off and out of site policy. How would you convince a school district to allow them in the classroom? What benefits do the cell phones bring to education?
"In my opinion, we’re ignoring the trend of society by not taking advantage of the tools at the students’ disposal. These students are digital natives – they have never known a time without the internet. We need to be teaching the responsible use of these technologies rather than ignoring their potential. Yes, there may occasionally be problems, but there has never been a time when there hasn’t been some sort of challenge in the classroom. We need to embrace and utilize technology rather than outlaw it. Good luck! "
I couldn't agree with her more! I hope one day my district adapts to this way of thinking about technology and cell phones. Its a positive thing!
The next interview from a teacher in Kentucky. She did not wish to have her name or information published.
- What is your school district’s policy regarding cell phones?
The policies are left to be determined at the building level. They has a district wide acceptable use policy that students are expected to adhere to regardless of their building
2. How long has your district had this policy? What was the policy before?
"The acceptable use policy dates back to 2001 (last revision). I know there was a previous version of the AUP in place prior to the last date of revision, however, the most recent version is dated 2001."
3. What has been the parental feedback regarding this policy? Have they been supportive of the use of cell phones in the classroom?
"Parents have been very supportive and cooperative in signing their students’ copy of the policy and based on the feedback we’ve received in various communications. Parents are encouraging the use of 21st century technology and mobile learning."
4. Do you have your own rules regarding cell phone use in your classroom?
What are they?
"Almost all of my “classroom” rules are outlined in our building policy. The only difference would be in terms of classroom management. I require students to put the devices on desks where I can see them during direct instruction, sometimes they are asked to “check them in” upon entering the classroom, and of course my main message to students is “don’t give me a reason to restrict your use.” I’ve had instances where I’ve confiscated devices for the hour due to a student’s inability to remain on task and/or adhere to the policy. I’ve also reported students for inappropriate usage to the SRO in the past (in accordance with the policy). I always inform parents when/if there is a concern, and my students know that if they do have devices than I shouldn’t hear them at any time for any reason."
She has a great policy for monitoring the usage of cell phones during her direct instruction. I probably would have them put them away during direct instruction. It is up to the classroom teacher to set the rules and boundaries regarding to cell phone usage
5. What problems or challenges have you faced using cell phones in the classroom? (with the students use, policy, technical, etc)
"I’ve experienced wireless connectivity issues in the past, however, this has mostly been resolved due to requests/work-orders for expanding hot-spots. I’ve had students become frustrated because they weren’t following the necessary connectivity steps but that has subsided. My main challenge is bringing the rest of the staff on-board and helping them find ways to integrate the use of cell-phones into their lessons. We are making progress on this front, however, it is a major change for many teachers."
I agree with her statement that cell phones are hard to implement when the teacher's themselves are willing to change their instructional methods. We, as teachers, have to adapt to the ever constant changing student.
6. How often do you use cell phones in your classroom?
"I use them daily with my 7th and 8th graders. 6th graders usually have the opportunity for BYOD activities 2-3 times per class rotation (every 4-5 weeks)."
7. How do you use cell phones in your classroom?
"I use them in conjunction with our LMS (Edmodo), I use them for note-taking, calendar applications, tweeting, researching, QR codes, movie creation, photography, presentation design, etc."
I believe the students will benefit from this type of learning. This is how they interact with friends, the news, and the world. Time to bring it into education.
8. What programs do you use? How do you integrate them?
"The main programs I’ve encouraged use with in the classroom this year are Edmodo, Evernote, Prezi, photography apps (not Instagram), free QR code scanners, dictionary apps, thesaurus apps, Synergy app, email, text-books, etc. "
9. I come from a district that has a strict, off and out of site policy. How would you convince a school district to allow them in the classroom? What benefits do the cell phones bring to education?
"If you are adopting the Common Core State Standards in your district then cell phones and mobile learning are a key component of 21st Century learning and technology integration. Does your district purchase programs that are compatible with mobile technology? This will help save $. Another great argument is differentiation for students of various learning styles and motivation for students who struggle with old-fashioned pencil/paper."
I completely agree with her idea to promote the Common Core Standards. The Social Studies CC Standards require the introduction and use of technology in the classroom. My school is under a tight budget and we only have one computer lab and one laptop cart available for all class periods. a BYOD policy would allow us to implement these standards and not have to buy a tremendous amount of technology.
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