"Top 10 Cell phones for students" and "The Pros and Cons of Texting and Im"

The first article I decided to read was, "Top 10 cell phones for students." I chose this because I myself have a "smart phone". Some of the factors that were considered when picking the phones according to the article were: affordability, popularity, and functionality. My first question when look at this list was, "Where is the iPhone?"

I myself have an iPhone and there is not a day that goes by that I am not using it for something. What the iPhone and lot of other new smart phones have are what they call "apps". I feel like these phones can really help students in the classroom in certain situations. I know most teachers do not feel that way because when they see us with a phone they usually just assume we are texting or messing around. An app I have on my phone that really comes in handy for myself in the class room or at home during homework is called "WordBook". What this is is basically a dictionary. If there is a word I am not quite sure what it means then i just type it in this app and look it up. Also if I am not sure how to pronounce that particular word then it will pronounce it for me too. This app especially comes in handy when I am doing a reading assignment. They also have "Flashcard" apps and "Scientific Calculator" apps just to name a couple more.

In conclusion with the first article I read, I believe cell phones can have a place in the classroom for students. My question to the teachers is why can't we as students have more freedom with cell phones as long as we are using it for educational use? Again that is probably do to the fat that for every student that is using it for educational use, there are probably plenty that aren't as well.

The second article I decided to read about was, "The Pros and Cons of Texting and IM", by Kelley Loftis. In today's world most students have cell phones and text. This is a growing controversial issue in the classroom as well as outside of it. Students seem to text no matter what the situation, if its in the classroom when the teacher has specifically said its not allowed or even while driving.

"Texting while driving is a serious issue that is causing accidents and deaths." This is a serious consequence for students that continue to text and drive. I feel like for most students they will not get how serious tis is until God forbid something as serious as this quote happens to them or someone close to them.

Another Important issue with texting is their performance in the classroom. Many experts go both ways about how it effects students' work. Some say it actually is "not detriment to students' writing skills", while others say 'some students are using text messaging terminology as they are filling out applications, writing essays, and even term papers." I believe with the evolution of technology it is now becoming the teachers responsibility more now than every to come up with new methods of teaching students when to use text messaging terminology. I think this especially if they are using the terminology on term papers and filling out applications.

In conclusion, teachers need to become more aware of the changing technology in today's world. We as teachers need to come up with new methods to help teach students about texting. I mean with students texting non-stop, maybe we should help educate them and include some sort of text messaging education in the curriculum some how. We as teachers need to become proactive with the new technology students like myself are using.


Top 10 cell phones for students. (2009, July 22). Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/22074


Loftis, Kelley. (2009, January 8). The Pros and Cons of Texting and
IM. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/15078