Should Mobile Phones Be Allowed in Schools

Children should be allowed to use their mobile phones in class because they can serve as ‘learning aids', a study claims today. Academics are calling on schools to rethink bans on phone handsets after trials suggested that functions such as calculators, stopwatches and email can be ‘educational'. However, the call is certain to infuriate many teachers and parents, who will be concerned that pupils will be unable to resist the temptation to put the devices to less productive uses, such as cyber-bullying or cheating in tests.During a nine-month experiment involving classes aged 14 to 16, pupils either used their own mobiles in lessons or the new generation of ‘ smartphones' which allow internet connection. They were used to create short films, set homework reminders, record a teacher reading a poem and time experiments with the phones' stopwatches. The smartphones also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system, or transfer electronic files between school and home.The study by researchers at Nottingham University involved 331 pupils in schools in Cambridgeshire, West Berkshire and Nottingham. ‘At the start of the study, even pupils were often surprised at the thought that mobile phones could be used for learning,' Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young will tell the annual conference of the British Educational Research Association in Edinburgh later today. ‘After their hands-on experience, almost all pupils said they had enjoyed the project and felt more motivated. One teacher told researchers that students like mobiles and they know how to use them. ‘Using this technology gives them more freedom to express themselves without needing to be constantly supervised,' the teacher said. However, the report admits that some teachers think greater use of mobile phones in schools could prove problematic. Increased temptation to steal phones belonging to the school was one worry. ‘I thought, well, four of the se smartphones†¦ Should Mobile Phones Be Allowed in Schools Mobile phones are extremely helpful after school when you’re travelling home. Your parent/ guardian can contact you regarding family matters and also after school if you have to walk your parent can phone you to make sure you’re secure. Likewise Mobile phones also provide safety and protection in times of need. If for example you are in danger of some sort you can phone someone quickly and inconspicuously. In addition if the child goes missing the police can track the mobile and parents can check in on the Childs location.Also mobiles can help if there is an emergency; your parents can phone you direct instead of phoning the office which would take longer. This would be more effective because your parent can tell you exactly what’s going on instead of having a message passed to you. If for example your Gran was ill in hospital your mum or dad etc. could phone or text you updates through out the day. Mobiles also brings families together –They don’t seem to have much time to spend together anymore due to overtime and after-school activities, having the ability to communicate with any one of your family member helps bringing families together.Similarly if you forget something important like homework or your lunch you can contact your parent /guardian and they can drop it off. This would help when you have an important essay, for example, due but you forgot it at home. This would help make sure that all your homework is on time and would help teachers when they have to mark homework. Likewise if you are unwell in school, you can phone your parent to let them know. This would be helpful because your parent would be able to pick you up or can tell you what to do.Moreover mobile phones could save money because they could be used as calculators and can be used to record/ write notes. This would save a lot of money on paper which would make the school more eco friendly and money could be used on other equipment instead of just calcula tors which can be found on all phones, although teachers would have to supervise and trust pupils not to stray from the task. Another benefit would be that pupils can record important dates in their phone to help with important deadlines and exams.A final reason is that mobiles could be used for a wide range of educational purposes, including creating short movies, setting homework reminders, recording a teacher reading a poem and timing science experiments. Mobiles which can connect to the internet, also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system, or transfer electronic files between school and home. Experts have claimed that using a mobile gains children’s confidence because the technology is familiar to them.