Mobiles in the Classroom Interview

I chose to interview a friend in my old district for this assignment. He is a high school US History teacher, and his school has recently implemented a cell phone/mobile device policy for the classroom.    This policy has recently been implemented and they are still working on kinks and glitches in how they allow students to use mobile devices in the classroom. I recorded my interview below:

Q: Why did your district decide to allow students access to mobile devices in school?

A: Surprisingly, parents were the real push behind the change. We have a very small high school of about 600 students, and are located in a small, rural, but tight knit community. Parents would attend school board meetings and push for their children to have access to their phone during the day. Administration took their wishes and came up with a compromise that students could have phones during the day, but during class they must be used instructionally and appropriately.


Q: When can students use their cell phone during class?

A: We encourage them to use it with specific apps and tools, and try to make the time as structured as possible.

Q: Do students get distracted and text during class?

A: Of course they do! I often have to remind them to put their phone away and not use it when they aren't supposed to. This goes as well as you could expect.

Q; Are you a fan of adopting this policy in school or no?

A: Not at all. Students are very distracted and more interested in texting and talking with their friends than actually focusing on the assignment or research given. It is frustrating to deal with more attitude brought on because of the cell phone usage.


I had more questions prepared for my interview, but after talking, I found out that they were not applicable because of the program being so new. I was not too surprised to hear the answers given. I had the same thoughts about cell phones in the classroom and was wondering if they would carry through to an actual school that incorporates this program. I posted on my discussion responses a link that I found on Twitter about cell phones in the classroom. You can read and access the link below:

http://wbur.fm/2k76JLZ