A blog all about cell phones!

There’s been lots of debate by school districts over how to handle the rapid change in technology as small electronics become fully functonal computers. Ban cell phone use in the school? Ban cell phones from all school property? Or embrace the technology and integrate into lessons?

More and more, school districts are realizing that students use cell phones regardless of the policies they put into place, and that it’s easier to get the desired results (no disruptions in the classroom) if they make policies that acknowledge the reality of the situation.

If you’re a parent who thinks kids shouldn’t use cell phones until they’re 16 (or 18!), here’s some of the helpful ways teachers have figured out to use cell phones in classrooms:

• To supplement outdated textbooks
• As a calculator
• As a dictionary or theasaurus
• To display maps, art, or other infographics
• As a research tool
• As a vehicle that can store books, newspapers, and magazines

Beyond supplementing older tools, by allowing cell phone use in schools teachers are able to teach kids proper use of such devices including good manners, internet safety, and how to get reliable information.

If your local school is instituting such programs, a great way to show your support is to donate used cell phones or pay-as-you go minutes and data. Not all kids can afford to use cell phones, and donating used cell phones in the hands of every child is a great way to encourage technology in the classroom.

Palm Pre, an unlocked cell phone with a great OS for kids.

Many parents are giving their children cell phones at ever younger ages, and it’s not uncommon to see a young child learning to use the device (as well as colors, numbers, and words) while playing with the many child-geared apps available.

But kids need to meet certain expectations for responsibility, as well as have a viable punishment when entrusted with cell phones. Unlocked cell phones can give parents that boost.

Unlocked cell phones work on any GSM provider, and more importantly, are super easy to use with prepaid plans from any company.

Pre-paid plans can be usd as allowance, as punishment if you want to take away kids data plans (or as a way to limit the functionality of the phones, permitting more uses as they age).

Because unlocked cell phones can be bought cheaper than carrier provided phones and without the contracts and fees, they also allow parents the ease of switching plans if necessary. As more kids use cell phones, carriers can be expected to add bonus features to plans (some already exist): being able to use the phone to keep track of your kid at all times, monitoring use, and with unlocked cell phones it’s easy to install thrid party apps for emergency situations (911 to mom with the bush of a button, for instance).

When every family member has an unlocked cell phone, it can help you to save money by finding the cheapest rates, and switching as need be (be sure to ask about the price of non-contract plans-they’re often cheaper).

Computers are now used in most jobs, most homes, and, frankly most pockets. Cell phones can do what computers 30 years ago couldn’t, and many school districts are learning to use this tool to their advantage.

Teaching basic computer skills is already essential, and the most sucessful school districts are moving to teach more advanced lessons (besides the fact the computers are now a more efficient way for students to take tests and have them graded!). Affording computers, on the other hand, is far more of a challenge. But students have used cell phones for years by the time they reach high school, and teachers are taking advantage.

Want to help education, or support the education of your child? Donate used cell phones to a school district. Or, make having your kid own a cell phone affordable by buying used cell phones, and purchasing them pre-paid minutes (make it an allowance, reward, or responsibility lesson to add to learning).

Used cell phones are also often unlocked cell phones, so you they can be used on any network, which is useful both when donating and when helping your child choose a phone.

It could also be the start of a great recycling program: teaching students responsibility for e-waste, and understanding the consequences of the mumerous gadgets in our lives. Encourage your local district to start an e-waste recycling program, using used cell phones as a jumping off point. They can even sell them, and use the profits for computer education!

Colorful used cell phones appeal to kids

With more people replacing land lines with cell phones, (and with phones becoming increasingly appealing to children), it’s becoming a discussion: when is the appropriate age to give kids cell phones? While certainly it varies by family situation, there are issues of maturity, safety, and cost to consider.

• Used cell phones can cut into the cost of giving kids access to their own cell phone. Used cell phones are a fraction of the price, and due to hipster fickleness, used cell phones are often available in the models that are hot right now.
• Having kids share a used cell phone as needed can also help teach responsibility, since they will hold each other accountable as well, and it can limit the cost of adding multiple lines to a plan.
• Interested parents can also find older models of used cell phones, which can be a way of limiting their kids use of the cell phone (limiting internet, or by getting a phone that pre-dates smart phones).
• Having kids pay for their phone line can teach them about responsibility and the value of a dollar. Many plans let you add lines to a family plan for as little as $10 a month.
• Finally, used cell phones remove some of the worry that a kid will lose or break the cell phone. Since used cell phones are cheaper and don’t require contracts or fees to purchase or upgrade, you can replace a phone, or reward a responsible child with a newer used cell phone at your own pace and for a fraction of the price.

For what other moms are doing, check out this article.