Should personal web-connected devices be used in the school classroom?

On an ordinary day in an ordinary classroom, the teacher says, "Take out your phones,
were going to play the game 'Kahoot.'" In the past, teachers may have asked students to take
out a pencil and paper, but in this case the teacher is using an online website to review
important information. Although cell phones can be distracting, students should be allowed to
use their devices in class because the use of technology in class can save time for teachers,
save money for schools, and prepare students for the future. It gives teachers the opportunity to
save time by cutting down on repetitive tasks like grading. It gives students access to resources
online such as calculators, dictionaries, and textbooks which saves money for schools. Finally,
as technology is being used increasingly in university classrooms, it prepares students for the
future.

One of the main reasons I support technology usage such as cell phones and computers
in the classroom is because its a lot easier for teachers to grade students' work. When teachers
have to grade hard copy papers it takes much longer for them to assess the grades, because
they may spend hours sorting through papers just to find the right one to grade. When they are
online the process is simpler and a time saver. Consider the following:
"Teachers are more likely to work unpaid overtime than staff in any other industry, with
some working almost 13 extra hours per week, according to research. A study of official figures
from the Trades Union Congress found that 61.4 per cent of [British] primary school teachers
worked unpaid overtime in 2014, equating to 12.9 additional hours a week. Among secondary
teachers, 57.5 per cent worked unpaid overtime, with an average of 12.5 extra hours. Across all
education staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, playground staff, cleaners and
caretakers, 37.6 per cent worked unpaid overtime a figure higher than that for any other
sector."
Additionally, tools online allow teachers to check for spelling errors, identify plagiarism,
and look for areas where students need extra help. This is important because it helps teachers
cut down on time spent doing repetitive tasks that can be accomplished quickly. This leaves
educators with more time to spend with their students and less unpaid overtime.

Another strong reason for allowing the use of technology that can access the internet in
class is that schools dont have to spend money on unnecessary items. Teachers often spend
their own money on school supplies. This article from 2016 gives information about how much
teachers spend on school supplies and about how schools are getting less financial support.
"The Education Market Association says that virtually all [American] teachers wind up
paying out of pocket for supplies, and its not chump change, either. On average, most spent
nearly $500 last year, and one in 10 spent $1,000 or more. All told, a total of $1.6 billion in
school supply costs is shifted from parents or, increasingly, from cash-strapped districts
onto teachers themselves."
 "Most states provide less support per student than before the Great Recession," a
report published earlier this year by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities found. "Some
states are still cutting eight years after the recession took hold."
Most of the necessary school items are online such as: calculators, dictionaries, note
taking apps, and even textbooks. When schools allow technology in the classroom it can save
money for the schools and the teachers. Schools would be able to spend on other things like
exercise equipment, field trips, or teachers salaries.

Students need to get used to using technology in the classroom to prepare them for
university. Universities and colleges are using technology more and more, for example: online
testing, online classrooms, and online projects. A survey conducted by The Economist
Intelligence Unit's editorial team gives information about opinions on the future of technology in
education.
"Technology is enabling multi-modal teaching, changing curricula and spawning rich
forms of online research and collaboration. Nearly 60% of survey respondents say that
professors will soon teach in more than one medium. [ ] When asked to compare different
communications technologies, 52% of survey respondents state that online collaboration tools
would make the greatest contribution in terms of improving educational quality over the next five
yearsthe top responsewhile 48% point to the dynamic delivery of content and software that
supports individually paced learning. Sophisticated learning-management systems and
enhanced video and presentation tools are among other innovations that respondents say are
likely to have a profound effect on the academic experience."
The more familiar students become with using online technology for educational
purposes the better it prepares them for the future.

An argument against using cell phones in class is that they can be distracting. Students
might be tempted to sneak a peek at a youtube video or send a text to a friend. First, while this
problem does exist, it is nothing new. Students have been passing notes or drawing funny
pictures to show their friends in class since the beginning of education. Just as in the past
teachers will find a way to get the class to pay attention. Second, some may argue that students
find it more enjoyable to do their work using technology they are accustomed to. Third, teachers
can discipline students if they are getting distracted by their cell phones. As technology
becomes more common we all have to decide when it is appropriate to use our phones and
when they are just a distraction; we might as well learn that early on in school.

If students are allowed to use their cell phones and other online technology in class it
can save time, save money and prepare students for the future. Online technology offers great
tools and resources for both students and teachers. As the use of technology grows, imagine a
world where all students have the information and the resources of the internet at their
fingertips.

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/teachers-work-more-overtime-any-other-
professionals-analysis-finds
http://time.com/money/4392319/teachers-buying-school-supplies/

https://www.nmc.org/pdf/Future-of-Higher-Ed-(NMC).pdf