So this one falls into the category of: Gimme a break! There was a conference in Washington this week called Mobile Learning 09 where trade groups from the wireless industry attempted to sell the idea that cellphones in the classroom will improve student performance. Apparently, Qualcomm (a company that makes chips for cellphones) paid $1 million to fund a study in North Carolina where 9th and 10th graders were given special cellphones with programs to help them in algebra. The study found that students with the phones performed 25% better on their algebra finals than students in similar classes who did not have the phones. FYI: The phones were loaded with 900 minutes and 300 text messages a month that could be used outside of class (that’s more than I have!), and teachers were in charge of monitoring the messages to make sure they were not in violation of any school rules.

Honestly, where do I begin? First of all, of course the kids with the fancy cell phones did better in algebra. If you pair any new gadget with a particular subject, kids’ interest in that subject will shoot up, they will pay more attention, and spend more time on assignments that they now find entertaining. But there are so many other equally effective methods to increase a child’s interest in a subject that don’t come with all the potential distractions and pitfalls of cell phones – not to mention the cost! And are we even sure that prolonged cell phone use in children is safe? Has Qualcomm done a study on that? Since computers are much more complex and versatile tools which students have to learn to use to compete in today’s economy anyway, how about finding more effective ways of incorporating computer learning into the classroom?

Unfortunately, the people who stand to benefit most from this “innovation” are those in the cell phone industry. Not the students, and definitely not the teachers who, it seems, will have to add “text-message police” to their already overwhelming list of responsibilities. I truly hope this idea gets nipped in the bud before it takes off.

takepart in reading up on ways to incorporate technology into education. Watch The Ron Clark Story to see one outstanding teacher’s methods of making learning interesting – and dramatically increasing test scores - without using cell phones in his classroom!!!

(Photo: sean dreilinger’s flickr photostream)