Cell Phones: A New Challenge for Educators

As educators, we take advantage of a lot of advancements in technology. Technology has impacted our ability to research. It has shaped our methodology. It has helped the ability to collaborate with colleagues and communicate with parents. These are all good things. But, with these advancements, there are also challenges that make the job of education more difficult. Though students must sign an acceptable use of technology form that addresses most computer issues such as viewing inappropriate sites and using the computer for non-educational purposes, there is an increasing problem with the use of cell phones, especially those with multi features such as camera,video, and internet access - not to mention the increasingly popular text messaging. Schools across the nation are struggling with the issue of cell phone use in schools. It seems that every student has a cell phone, and they have become a natural part of who the student is. Students have instant communication with each other every waking moment so it is difficult for them not to use these devices during school. But, these can be a distraction to education when students feel their phones vibrate during the presentation of a lesson, pull out their phones under their desks and see a text message to which they promptly respond. Many schools have taken the view that catching students using a cell phone to communicate during school is simply a digitized version of a handwritten note. These have been confiscated by teachers since the days of the one-room schoolhouse. Educators tend to rely on the TLO vs. New Jersey standard that viewing and using the information found on a cell phone is acceptable as long as there is "reasonable suspicion" that a rule violation has occurred. Just like the original complaintant in the TLO case, students today see the review and search of their phone as a violation of their privacy rights. The crux of the issue is whether or not the school officials have "reasonable suspicion" that reviewing or searching will lead to evidence that a rule violation has occurred. Educators see searching a phone as not different from searching a locker, a backpack, a purse, or even a student's pocket. Just like in the days of TLO, groups like the ACLU have cried fowl for such searches. As a principal, I can tell you that dealing with this issue is very frustrating. What is probably most frustrating is that we have clear rules/expectations about the possession and use of cell phones. We have these expectations in writing. We talked with all of the students at class meetings, and we have made PA announcements. Yet, students ignore these expectations because the risk is worth the reward. Though the simple disobedience of the rule is bad enough, students use cell phones and text messaging to cheat on assignments, take inappropriate pictures of other students at school, communicate about drug deals, and many other inappropriate behaviors that impact the school environment. The struggle for school officials is how to maintain a positive learning environment facing the struggles brought about by the way students use the ever-changing and advancing technology. Can you imagine a one-room school house teacher being dropped into a classroom today. For that matter, imagine dealing with this issue of cell phones and text messaging just 15 years ago. It makes Star Trek and Back To The Future seem not that far off!