Technology in the Classroom
Is it appropriate for Instructors to allow students to use cell phones in the class for math?
Not the best idea, as they will often times use it for other reasons,
Students should use a real calculator and not a cell phone. There is a time an place for cell phones and the class room is not one of them. The function might be the same, but to remain consistent, I think students should use a real calculator in class.
In my class we do a lot of food costing and I will allow them to use their cell phone calculator function, but it does not give them enough features compared to a regular calculator. I do not allow them to use their cell phones for quizzes, but do allow a standard calculator to figure out their food costs and selling percentages. IMO it does not matter which generation you are from, math formulations you need a calculator to help you along......
Using cell phones, like it or not, is so much a part of our society that doing so in the classroom has to be reckoned with in a productive way. I often "allow" my students a quick 5 minutes to research a term, definition, or PDF reading on their phones, and then ask them to put them away.
Brandon ,
I completely agree & this is definitely something that needs to be determined at the individual, class level.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think it depends on the specific area of study for determining whether or not cell phones can be considered an appropriate learning tool.
That is a good method. my problem is the student's aptitude for using EXCEL. Are your students trained to use this application?
Yes, if this device simulates real world problem solving capabilities and use of the device enhances the learning process. Permit the use of the device, observe, test and decide to continue or change your policy
Lila,
I think this is completely up to the individual teachers as well as the policies of your school.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I don't think so, to best simulate the real world, I prefer to have them use Microsoft Excel. It is best that they determine how to translate the math into something they can demonstrate or present rather than use a device that also has Google access to look up the answers.
