Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Use of Personal Electronic Devices

        Nine out of every ten students text during class – something’s not right. School rules and enforcement do not curb cell phone use; new guidelines are needed to regulate phones and other personal electronic devices in school. Many personal electronic devices such as cell phones and IPods were banned in many schools in the early 2000s when they first came out. The use of cell phones has always been banned at First Flight High in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Until recently all personal electronic devices have been banned and the rules are being strictly enforced.

 There are many benefits to using PEDs and disadvantages too. IPods provide music which can help relax students and help them focus better. Cell phones provide many benefits including educational apps, electronic calculators, music, easy access to emergency calling, calendar, voice notes, etc. Disadvantages include that iPods can become distracting and take away from students’ learning Cell phones can be used to cheat through texting and taking pictures on the phone’s camera, cell phones are distracting, and they are also stolen very easily. Overall the enormous amount of positive aspects from personal electronic devices override the few negative attributes therefore personal electronic devices should be allowed in school but there should be rules to regulate them. ^[a]

        The first cell phone was created by Dr. Martin Cooper in 1973. In 1979 the first commercial cellular telephone system began operation in Tokyo. In 1981, Motorola and American Radio telephone started a second U.S. cellular radio-telephone system test in Baltimore. By 1982, the FCC authorized commercial cellular service for the USA. The use of cell phones by the public increased over the years from the 70s to the 90s and saw a peak in the late 90s as the size of cell phones decreased. Many schools began banning the use of cell phones in the early 2000s as text messaging became popular; cell phones were seen as a distraction to students. As of 2008, text messaging is the most widely used mobile data service, with 74% of all mobile phone users worldwide.

        There are many benefits to using cell phones in school. In the article “Pros of Cell Phones in School” the author lists seven different pros of using cell phones in school. They are instant communication, learning aid, memory aids, calendar, voice notes, GPS tracking, and storing emergency contact information. All of these can benefit the student as long as they can follow guidelines and rules. The author states that there are also cons to using cell phones in school but overall the pros override them and that it’s up to the school to decide. With instant communication, students can easily call their parents or authorities during emergency situations such as a school shooting. Or if a sports practice afterschool got canceled, a student could call or send a text to their parents to receive a ride home. Learning aids include apps and calculators on the phone. Many phones now carry apps, which are programs that can be used on the phone. There are over 10,000 learning apps in the Apple store; they include instruction lessons, academic games, calculators, and other learning enhancers. There are also apps that are organizers and reminders. They can organize school papers on file and can record schedules. Reminders can be used to notify the student to do homework or study for a test. There is a book app, where students can download books to their phone and have the ability to read a novel or textbook right there on their phones. Another app that is available is an app that replicates note cards, and also Microsoft Office and other programs are available to download on phones. “Internet research is required in many classes, but unfortunately many American schools do not have an adequate amount of computers for each student. Allowing students to use their phones to access key educational websites can cut down educational costs while helping them learn,” said Tamara Warta, professional writer. In the article “The Advantages of Having Cell Phones in School” the author writes about many advantages of using cell phones in school. They include: the use of a camera on the phone, phone applications that improve learning, and safety. The camera can be used to send pictures to students’ parents of their projects or to show them what they are working on. The camera can also be used to record lectures and lessons. Applications include using internet for research, using Microsoft Word to type papers, calculator, and music to help students focus. Safety includes being able to get in touch with parents for emergency situations. “Since so many cell phones have cameras, students are able to snap photos of their group projects to send to their parents,” said Tamara Warta, professional writer. Voice recording systems on cell phones can be used to make self memos/reminders and can also be used to record a lesson by the teacher. For instance if a student is out sick, another student can record the lecture and send it to that student. Music can be stored on most phones too, music can be used to help students concentrate and relax. “These advantages should not be ignored since cell phones in schools can actually add value to the educational experience, rather than simply be a detriment to it,” said Cheryl Cirelli, a writer at lovetoknow.com.