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Should we ban cell phones in school?

NEA Today, Feb 2004 by Ostrowski, Erich, Kaufman, Kristopher, Meer, Kenneth F, Siddell, Mindy, Et al

Yes]

Cell phones should absolutely be banned from school, no gestions asked. My philosophy is that we lived a hundred years without them and we can live another hundred years without them if we chose to do so. They are nothing but a disruption to class instruction. The student (if he or she is waiting for a call) thinks about nothing but receiving that call, therefore blocking out anything that is being said, and it's simply not a necessity for being successful in school.

ERICH OSTROWSKI Fourth-grade teacher, Tucson, Arizona

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Cell phones, like many other electronic devices, can be a distraction. Students need to learn when and where a cell phone can be appropriate. It is rude to the presenter when some person has a cell phone ringing during his or her presentation. Students are often easily distracted as it is, and a cell phone going off in a classroom can end the learning process as effectively as any fire drill. This is one of those life lessons we can teach them. Technology is a wonderful and useful tool when used properly. 1 can think of circumstances where a student needs to be on call during school. That is where the office and secretaries come in.

KRISTOPHER KAUFMAN Spanish teacher, Northern Tioga School District, Pennsylvania

Until this year cell phones were banned from school here in Maryland. This year, cell phones are allowed for safety reasons-in case of an emergency, students can call for help (e.g., Columbine). Well, our students have now figured out that they can cheat on quizzes and tests by "texting" each other. Not only are phones distracting but now they are a cheating tool.

KENNETH F. MEER Naval science instructor, Easton, Maryland

NO.]

Cell phones should be banned from classrooms but not from schools. When classes are in session, cell phones aren't.

When a student is maneuvering around after-school activities and pick-up times, cell phones are extremely handy.

The school should not be held accountable if the cell phone is stolen. As with any other possession, it's the student's responsibility. If the student is too young to keep track of a cell phone, the student is too young to have one.

MINDY SIDDELL student in teacher education, Seward, Nebraska

Cell phones are so ubiquitous that it's a losing battle, especially at the high school level. They are part of the younger generation's survival kit, just as Spalding high bounce balls were to those of us from the '5Os. Here's the rule in my United States history classes: The cell phone needs to be on stun mode (vibration). If it rings during class, the student must surrender the phone and I get to answer it. Last year, 1 talked to two girlfriends, three boyfriends, and a mother. There were no repeat incidents.

RICHARD MOLLETTE High school history teacher, Seattle, Washington

I think cell phones are okay for students to have- just not out in the classroom. Schools are very dynamic today and many students use their cells to contact parents about activities they had forgotten about.

Also, in my first year of teaching, I came back from a cold Thanksgiving Friday tournament to find the school locked up. No one had a cell phone, but one of my colleagues made his students memorize his phone number. We called him and his nice warm van, and his cell phone saved the day.