tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post5414406725404433864..comments2023-04-08T12:40:16.061+01:00Comments on My teaching and technology blog: Mobile phones in secondary schoolsClarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894630748385387074noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-50056762596312084922011-07-16T16:21:38.924+01:002011-07-16T16:21:38.924+01:00Grrrrr - this sort of thing just winds me up. Inde...Grrrrr - this sort of thing just winds me up. Indeed, mobiles are also banned from my daughter's school. <br /><br />Sounds like the school are pushing the issues outside of the school gate rather than facing up to it. They should be educating and supporting pupils in how to cope and deal and to use the technology responsibly. By banning phones for such a reason, the school are actually failing their pupils. They are failing to help support them with life skills that they need to cope in the environment THEY live in not in the environment that the teachers LIVED in. <br /><br />If they had any bit of sense, they would realise that mobile tech can help their pupils. When my daughter is out of school she is glued to her blackberry. After school she group chats on blackberry messenger about the homework they have to do. As a group of friends they have worked out for themselves that they can use technology to help each other with work. Not so evil now eh?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429821987178259035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-8719813528986014012011-07-10T17:12:11.288+01:002011-07-10T17:12:11.288+01:00Thanks Bryan. Your comments have made me think mo...Thanks Bryan. Your comments have made me think more about why I disagree with a blanket ban, and I think you've hit the nail on the head. Children need to learn (and I know a few adults too!) when it is ok to use their phone and when it isn't. I think just telling them that they mustn't be seen with a phone in their hand whilst on school premises is too extreme.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894630748385387074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-38040737193405022982011-07-09T21:17:22.375+01:002011-07-09T21:17:22.375+01:00In fairness other things banned from school: swear...In fairness other things banned from school: swearing, inappropriate dress, knives, leaving the lesson for a chat with your friend, alcohol, personal music, (often) earrings, eating and drinking soft drinks in class, and a few more. All of which are often perfectly acceptable in a professional setting (context specific). The context is a safe and undisturbed learning environment. There are many professional settings when personal texts are not acceptable - it is as well children learn that school is one of these. Using them in a restricted and controlled way for education is a completely different matter.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01518883300663745340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-34834632544838055902011-07-09T20:49:32.183+01:002011-07-09T20:49:32.183+01:00Dom - I really agree with your final point that ba...Dom - I really agree with your final point that banning things doesn't stop them being used. I think what I am hoping is that schools begin to address these issues, rather than avoiding them. Sounds great that you are using mobiles in your lessons.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894630748385387074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-67956757694819214052011-07-09T20:47:43.656+01:002011-07-09T20:47:43.656+01:00Thanks Bryan - I agree that cyber bullying is part...Thanks Bryan - I agree that cyber bullying is particularly hard to access, but I suppose bullying on the school bus or in the alleys on the way home are equally difficult to identify, though perhaps easier to escape from at home.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894630748385387074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-77094241933370178602011-07-09T20:35:17.481+01:002011-07-09T20:35:17.481+01:00Using mobile phones in school is something I have ...Using mobile phones in school is something I have been advocating for a few years now. I teach MFL and have successfully used mobiles with my students. My current school has a total mobile ban although more of my students turn up to class with a phone than a pen. When I allowed my students to use their phones they had to have them in plain sight on their desk at all other times in the lesson. There has to be a certain amount of trust and responsibility in this situation. Banning things doesn't stop them being used.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11147200402821695839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-61131199360837985652011-07-09T20:31:15.422+01:002011-07-09T20:31:15.422+01:00Have you considered though that cyber bullying is ...Have you considered though that cyber bullying is very hard for schools to access and therefore manage. School yard is hard enough to spot but secretive texts and social networks are almost impossible. No access to these from 9-4 at least reduces the hours it can take place.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01518883300663745340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-60935111152825398462011-07-09T20:29:54.929+01:002011-07-09T20:29:54.929+01:00Thanks Catherine, that's a great link!Thanks Catherine, that's a great link!Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894630748385387074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1450785669882496754.post-6659275328239193852011-07-08T23:02:08.045+01:002011-07-08T23:02:08.045+01:00Yes, it's a real challenge to find a balance h...Yes, it's a real challenge to find a balance here. Have you read this?<br />http://mindshift.kqed.org/2010/11/10-reasons-to-ban-pens-and-pencils-in-the-classroom/Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16003869365736852292noreply@blogger.com