Dan Clark wrote an article for EdSurge in favor of cell phone use in the classroom.
I’ve been back and forth on this issue, myself. For a very long time, I saw the built-in cameras as “good enough” for video and photo content. There were even a handful of decent, free (or “freemium”) video editors for phones and tablets, allowing my students to complete entire video projects without ever needing a desktop or laptop! It was great!
Any time there was talk about a cell ban, I was the one who championed their usefulness to my admin.
I no longer do this.
There’s a few reasons why, and since this is my blog, I get to list them here.
3. Phones have become less useful.
These little computers have gotten much more powerful, to the point where phone processors can power decently specced laptops. That’s great!
… but too many apps want to track everything you do. I can’t in good conscience recommend a student submit to constant tracking to create things.
Not to mention how AI proponents (in their continuing quest to ruin everything) won’t even leave your photos alone when you take them.
2. Older cameras are still great!
I’ve nerded out about bridge cameras already on here so I’ll spare you the brunt of it, but for a fraction of even what a budget phone goes for I can get a used camera that records HD video and has an actual optical zoom lens.
Sure, “the best camera is the one you have,” so if the only one you have is your phone, then fine. My students don’t get to make that claim, because we have a bunch of lab cameras.
They still have to wait their turn, but not because of a lack of devices. It’s because I’m not sending them to scatter around the school to do their recordings.
1. The misuse continued.
I won’t go into the details here, but my argument for constructive, artistic, on-task phone use in my classroom was countered by the students who ended up in an office having to explain to a parent and admin why what they did seemed like a good idea at the time.
Could students make good use with their devices? Absolutely! Many did! Some won awards for their hard work at film festivals!
But too many of them have ruined that for the rest, and we have alternatives in my lab right now that are just as good if not better.
It’s a shame, on a lot of fronts, but in the end it wasn’t my decision.
Honestly, I don’t want that job.