A 2010 Pew Research Center study found that 65 percent of cell-owning teens bring their phones to school despite any bans that may be in place. Most schools now allow students to have cell phones but require them to be turned off during class because they can be disruptive and distracting. Cell Phones should be allowed in school because they serve as learning aid, it shows how responsible you are in handling a phone and not using it for the wrong things during class, it offers a better atmosphere for learning, it can be used to monitor student and also as a reminder.

For instance, nowadays  students have smart cell phones which can use apps and they can also access internet or type notes using these smart cell phones. The private business sector has invested millions of dollars in creating mobile learning applications, students can access digital libraries using schoology or.  Library Apps, they can listen to audio books , they can learn how to spell using grammar APPS, they can learn Math using Math Apps……etc.

Cell phones are known for causing distractions, especially now that they can access internet, students can spend most of their time using social networks like facebook or twitter. But for teachers to control this they can find ways of integrating social technology in their curriculum, so instead of students using casual social networks, they can use educational social networks. We have some good educational social networks online and these include Piazza, alief.schoology, epals, Remind101, edmondo. All these networks have been designed to connect students, teachers and parents. So if cell phones are allowed in schools, students should use them for academic hangouts, this can be an interesting way of learning. Students know the cons of using cellphone for irresponsible things in school(phone and tablet should be used for only educational purposes in school). Teachers could combat cheating by making student put their phones on “airplane mode” or any other ,or anything else  that will not allow them send/receive any message or use internet.

Firstly, cell phones can to monitor students, both parents and teachers can use cell phone technology to monitor their students or children. For parents, they can use Footprints App to track their children locations, this application can work on smart phones, so it will help parents know when their children are at school or not. Then for teachers, they can use Piazza App or schoology, to track their students’ performance. In this case, teachers can assign course works to their students using Schoology or Google classroom and then students will complete the coursework and submit it to their teachers using the same application.

Secondly, cell phones can be used as Emergency tools. Nowadays, schools get closed because of various reasons, sometimes they’re natural disasters, or gun shoots which have actually become so common in most American schools. Also our children or students face many predators while at school or off the campus, children kidnappers are on the raise, so it is a must for schools to allow cellphones in schools. May be to reduce on the distraction caused by these gadgets, teachers can simply regulate the time of using of cell phones in school. Cell phones can be used by students to report any emergency; students can contact their parents if the school has closed because of a natural disaster or any other reason.

Cell phones can be used  Remind Students to take more than one subject in a day, and they have loads of assignments which they have to finish on time, it is very important for these students to use cell phones as reminding gadgets. Mobile applications like Remind101, can help students remember when to submit in specific course work , know when a test will be done, know when a teacher will be in class, help teachers be in touch with their students and parents.  I remember when my sister was in college, She used to have a tight schedule, she used to get lots of coursework and She used to find it difficult to balance her time. So sometimes She could submit in her course work when it was too late. Now, with the help of Remind101 Application, her student life is made simple, the application can be used by teachers to text reminding messages about coursework or tests.

Cell phones can be used for communication in schools,besides taking pictures or recording of videos and podcasts, cell phones can be used in educational communication while in school or classroom. The easiest way students and teachers can communicate using cell phones can be text messaging. Teachers can simply use mass texting services like Remind101 to communicate with students and parents. Then students can use twitter to stay in touch with their classmates and exchange academic information. Shy students will find it easier to communicate through cell phones rather than face to face communication

Finally,Many phone apps offer visual representations of difficult-to-grasp subjects (like astronomy, science, or anatomy) that can assist visual learners and/or students who have dyslexia. Tablets offer the same services, but may provide a better user experience because of the size difference.And according to a study conducted in 2005, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Laura King, and Ed Diener found that happiness causes success. Therefore if we keep students, grades k-12, happy they will be more willing to learn, more productive, and more likely to succeed. And isn’t that what everyone wants?