Daniell Middle School To Encourage Cell Use
The middle school is part of a pilot program that will allow students to use their cell phones and laptops as tools in the learning process.
As part of an experimental program to enhance the learning process, the days of teachers taking cell phones away from and disciplining students who are using their devices in class may be over at Daniell Middle School.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Daniell Middle School has been chosen to join Lost Mountain and Floyd middle schools in a cutting-edge educational program which will allow students to log into a guest network at school and use their devices as tools in the learning process.
"Trends are telling us that we cannot afford the model for public education that we have now," Cobb Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said. "We are going to have to change and adapt. These initiatives have the potential to fundamentally change the way we deliver instruction to students and put us in better position to lead the future of education."
Should cell phones be allowed in schools for educational purposes? Tell us in the comments!
In This article
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Daniell Middle School
2900 Scott Rd, Marietta, GA -
Lost Mountain Middle School
700 Old Mountain Rd NW, Marietta, GA -
Floyd Middle School
4803 Floyd Rd SW, Mableton, GA
Bruce Howard
11:53 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
First off, I am a veteran educator and see this issue from BOTH sides. That being said, the adults that are proposing this idea are in direct violation of state law. According to the Georgia Code (§ 20-2-1183 - Possession of electronic communication devices in school), "...If possession of an electronic communication device by a student in school is permitted, the local board policy shall not permit the use by a student of any personal electronic communication device during classroom instructional time."
Therefore, any educator that knowingly allows for the use of an electronic communicative device in their classroom as a part of instruction is allowing the child to commit a crime. That is "Contributing to the delinquency of a minor" and is a criminal act.
Georgia educators need to know the law before they attempt something as foolish as this.
Justin Ove
1:03 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Mr. Howard,
You would hope that the educators proposing this change would at the very least ask for an exemption from that law!
I too see both sides of the story. Interactive learning may add to more engagement and more connection with the material. On the other hand, if I were in that classroom and allowed to use my phone or laptop there's no telling how much work I would get done as opposed to using Facebook!
Best,
Justin
Bruce Howard
4:40 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Justin,
You are correct that if educators want to incorporate electronic communicative devices in their instruction, they should petition the legislature to change the law. However, there was no mention of that in the article and I have not heard of any such action. Therefore, until said law is changed, it would be an illegal action.
Me
4:10 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
HB 706, signed by the governor on April 19, 2012, revoked that provision of Title 20. Rest easy...