According to the Washington Post (in an article written this summer) cell phone usage among teens age 1o-17 in the summer is astronomical! An average of 3 hours and 45 minutes they spend using their cell phones each day during summer break (during school months it is still an astounding 2 hours and 45 minutes). What I found so interesting were the statistics on text messaging....
"More than half - 52 percent - say they send text messages from the movie theater while 28 percent have sent messages from the dinner table. For many, 26 percent, texting is one of the first things they do in the morning, within 10 minutes of waking up." Washington Post
To me, these statistics not only mean that we should be finding ways to use this engaging tool in schools or at least for homework, but that teens and tweens are not being educated on appropriate ways to use the cell phone. Is it really appropriate to text message at the dinner table? Or in a movie theater? This could be a valuable professional tool in their future, but they need to learn how to use it appropriately in certain settings. Teachers could help model digital etiquette to their students.
I couldn't agree with you more. In fact, I think it's time that we begin to conceptualize/establish/document best teaching practice when it comes to incorporating cellphones in the classroom - and frankly, there are few more qualified to lead the way than you.
ReplyDeleteWhen and where do we begin?