In many K-12 schools across the U.S. there are strict guidelines about student use of cell phones while at school, and in many districts cell phone use is strictly forbidden. But at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, Florida, cell phones are an increasing part of classroom work. Teachers are finding different ways to use the cell phone technology as a way of getting their students more engaged in school. So far the cell phones are being used in science, English, and foreign language classes.

According to a Pew Internet & American Life Project approximately 71 percent of American teens own a cell phone and that percentage doesn't waver much based on race, income or other demographic factors. While 35 percent of students acknowledged that they had used a cell phone to cheat on school work, many teachers realize that banning phones for this reason is no more logical than banning paper and pencil because students can use them to cheat.

There are a variety of ways that the Ranch High students become involved with their school work through the use of the phones. Students are sent on scavenger hunts for their foreign language classes, take pictures with their cell phones for reports, use the phones as a calculator, and respond to polling questions on the phones so that their teachers can assess how many students understand a recently taught concept. From homework reminders to utilizing outside resources, cell phones also help expand the classroom learning beyond the school day. Teachers at the school are committed to figuring out additional ways of using this widely-available technology.

Source: Associated Press/Mobile Tech Today. Teachers begin using cell phones for class lessons