Cell Phones in the Classroom: Are we Dialing up Disaster?

Abstract

Over the last decade there has been a rapid diffusion of cellular technology. Though cell phone use began as a business tool, it has now become part of popular culture. Because of the near ubiquitous presence of cell phone technology among teens in the United States, schools are beginning to explore the use of cell phones as a learning tool. This paper explores the implementation of a pilot program using cell phones in a pre-calculus classroom. Included is a description of the implementation of the pilot, an explanation of several activities that occurred during the pilot, and recommendations of how to work with students who do not own cell phones. The paper concludes with several considerations for the use of cell phones in a high school setting.