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=Cell phone use is a popular topic in educational conversations about technology. How can we meaningfully incorporate cell phones into instruction while eliminating some of the possible negative effects of cell phones in schools?=

Jody Hollister: Good question, but I don't know if I can think of a good way to incorporate them. Let's face the facts; our students have cell phones attached to their hands at all times (I'd say attached to their ears but they never really seem to call anyone...). I'm constantly catching students texting in class, using their cellphone calculator even though they have a real calculator on their desk, playing games, or messing around with different applications. Some of the applications on newer phones may have educational potential, but I haven't really had a chance to look into them. I think right now there just isn't enough control for cell phone use in school, but I'm always open to new ideas!

Bill Greenly: With any new technology, we need to decide if the positive impact of the technology is greater than the negative impact. In the case of cell phones, I think the negative impact is to great. The potential for cheating and distraction apprears to be to great.

Tammie Pogue: There is a group on Classroom 2.0 wiki called Cell Phones in Education. You might check that out for ideas on incorporating cell phones into classwork. I have had students use their cell phones for assignments, as these cell phones are just little computers, after all! The applications on the iphone and Ipod touch are wonderful. My students can play along with a grammar game on a website that we are featuring on the smartboard. They can text answers to a website that collects responses to my questions in real time. I have one student who likes to write his papers on his iTouch! Certainly the apps that keep track of tasks and "to-do" lists are useful to students. I think it is a matter of engaging students in learning...if the teacher is just lecturing and creating tests that ask students to regurgitate answers, then the cell phone certainly does have potential for aiding the cheater and distracting the bored. However, if we engage students in active learning activities, then the cell phone can be a great asset.

Lori Woodward: This was a question I dealt with in another class. There is no easy answer to this question. I personally think that it is something that can be overcome. Phones on the desk the minute they walk in. Only use them in class when instructed to. Use them for assignments from home. Use them as response devices. The list of possibilities goes on and on. And the negatives go on and on too. All that time in unsupervised areas. Photos taken in locker rooms and sent to everyone. Sexting. Bullying. At this time, I don't know if the good outweighs the bad. Unfortunately this is a case where I think the bad of the few out weighs the good for many. But the jury is still out!

Lori Kulik: I think that you have to set guidelines for when students can and cannot use their cell phones during class time. All classes are probably different so students have to realize that they still have responsibility to keep the phone off most times. I do not think cell phones are that necessary to use during class unless you are teaching them how to keep themselves organized electronically. I think it is helpful for students to get text messages on upcoming career information such as internships and college fairs and possibly homework changes and additions.