Cell/Camera Phone Management

The Reality

• The reality of the situation is that many students are already in possession of Camera Phones.

• Also, despite all our rules and efforts, these phones are in our schools.

The Reality

• Current phone policies are becoming increasingly unenforceable.

• Teachers and administrators have better things to do than to constantly be on the lookout for cell/camera phones (Delisio, 2006, p. 1).

Generation Gap

• Today’s students have grown up in a world where technology is always at their finger tips.

• From our students’ point of view, cell/camera phones are integral part of their daily life, and they have a valid place in their schools.

Viewed as a Tool

• Today’s phones are equipped with calculators, still picture/video capability, dictionaries, spell check, video games and internet access (Phones in Schools, n.d., p. 1).

• It’s time teacher started to view these phones as potential learning tools.

Potential Problems• Unfortunately, with new tools we can expect

new problems.• Phones can be huge distractions.• Students my use them to avoid work (Delisio,

2006, p. 4).• Even worse, some may use them to bully their

classmates through text messaging.• With camera/video capability, there are also

privacy issues. Photos and videos of you or your students could end up on the internet (Cell Phones in the Classroom, n.d., p. 1).

The Solution

• Fortunately, a manageable cell/camera phone policy is possible.

• All you need to do is use common sense and sound classroom management strategies.

Example Policy

Cell/Camera Phone Policy1. Cell/Camera phones should be turned off and placed in

desk phone pockets at all times, unless given permission or instructions to do otherwise.

2. Please refrain from texting or talking to friends, playing games, viewing photos, or viewing the internet on your phone when you are directed to use it for another classroom activity.

3. Please respect each others privacy. Taking photos and/or videos of others without their knowledge will not be tolerated.

4. Be kind and respectful when using your phones to communicate with your classmates and the faculty

Example Consequences

• Try playing the Good Behavior Game by giving out points to students who don’t break the policy.

• Use soft, calm reprimands.• Assign phone time-outs. Thus keeping the

student from using the phone their breaking the rules with (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 212-222).

Conclusion

• By using common sense, sound practices, and a little creativity, integrating cell/camera phones into the classroom is possible!

Resources• Cell Phones in the Classroom. Retrieved April 20th, 2008, from

http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

• Delisio, E.R. (2006). Crafting A Workable Cell Phone Policy: In Front of the Class. Retrieved April 20th, 2008, from

http://www.nea.org/classmanagement/ifc060711.html

• Woolfolk, A. (2007). Educational Psychology (10th Ed.). New York: Pearson.