30th
There are several reasons why banning cell phones in schools won’t work in the future. Because my school recently set forth its cell phone policy both strictly and aimed directly at Apple’s iPhone, I must express some concerns – mostly centered on the single fact that the iPhone is a PDA, and thus such rules could be detrimental to those of us with PDA’s at school.
The step-up on cellphone policy enforcement was, I believe, brought on my a law in New Jersey that states that students may not have cell phones in school. Our principal, Mr. Howlett, has expressed concern with this law, and has said outright, “I think it’s stupid.” Of course, the student body agrees. But Howlett also stated that cell phones cause on during the school day would be terminated until a parent could pick up the phone, and the offending student would also receive a Saturday detention.
Strict? Only if you break the rule, which many do – but not so many get caught. There is only one flaw in this perfect plan, and that is Howlett’s stated assault on the iPhone.
The iPhone will be leading a device convergence revolution that will, by its end if several years, replace my Palm TX with a PDA-phone-camera-device. And God knows what else will be thrown in the mix. In essence, it will be as Steve Jobs himself predicts, that all these mbile devices will reach a singular point where they all become small personal computers. That small step took a giant leap forward with the iPhone’s mobile OS X platform, and subsequently the iPod Touch’s. Both run exactly the same OS, meaning that applications made for the iPhone will work on the iPod Touch. Even though Apple has bricked the iPhones of those who installed 3rd party apps, it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist – and when the market opens up, you can bet that people will rush to make them.
Suddenly, the iPhone, and the iPod Touch, aren’t phones or MP3 players anymore – they’re full-blown teeny-tiny Macs. And people are allowed to have their laptops in school.
So, where is the line being drawn right now? The iPhone is a phone. Period. A laptop cannot possibly be a phone – it is a computer. But what does a laptop become when you install Skype and add a microphone? With an internet connection available, what my friends have said was, “A cell phone.” So, why are we not confiscating these laptops? They can function as a cellular phone without a problem.
Thus, as mobile devices converge, schools will be left with a choice: Accept and allow the use of these new tiny computers, or ban all electronic devices. Because – believe it – even your calculator might be running a full version of Windows, capable of doing everything your desktop is. It can already run Linux.
Schools must be prepared – Apple has already announced that they may create their “Son-of-Newton” PDA device. That’ll really blur the line. I guarantee faculty won’t believe you when you tell them that it’s not an iPhone.
Jason, your firefox spell check doesn’t seem to be working. Secondly, the problem with cellphones is not the fact that it can place a call. The problem is that they can start ringing in the middle of class. This is disruptive. It has nothing to do with electronics.
You can’t bring a dog to school with you either. If you start playing with a tennis ball, the teacher will take it away. People with laptops won’t be stupid enough to call someone through Skype in the middle of class. Checking your email online with an iPod Touch is also disruptive.
Another problem with cellphones is texting. Instead of concentrating on classwork, students chat with other people. This is also a great way to cheat on a standardized exam.
For now, there is no specific bias against cellphones, at least in our school. However, Mr. Howlett did say something about taking pictures of teachers. This is ridiculous, because students can simply bring a camera to class. But this may also be disruptive.
And Ill come to sectional on Monday, not today.
Yeah, but even though laptops can be cellphones, no one is allowed to use laptops at our school. But cellphones are allowed here, and can even be used — during lunch. And who on earth would bring a laptop to convert it to a cellphone when almost all of the school population has a phone in their backpack? And about that choice… schools are never going to allow us all to have mini computers with us during class. Imagine a future when the iPhone (or, rather, ANY phone with internet capabilities) becomes as fast at accessing Wikipedia or Google, as the browser you’re using right now (and I know such a future is out there). Wouldn’t tests and quizes be more cheated on? Students could email full answer lists to other students. Even in our world of texting, it can and IS being done, which is the reason phones aren’t allowed in class.