cellphones

Bullies often use texts to harass their classmates, but now the bullied can defend themselves using the same technology. Many school districts have anonymous texting systems that let students alert administrators to both the situations and the bullies themselves.

In today’s blended learning environment, an increasing number of students and teachers have access to technology that extends the educational process well beyond the classroom walls. As part of this trend, school districts across the U.S. are implementing practices and policies that transform learning environments into one of participatory learning for the purpose of improving student outcomes.

Carthage (Mo.) R-9 School District students went to work on Feb. 28th as part of Hacemos' National High School Technology Day. They spent the day job shadowing at the AT&T Call Center to get a first hand look at different careers in technology.

With caution in mind, BYOD seems like an amazing opportunity to reach kids where many are already -- in front of a screen -- and help them explore the promise and dangers of our digital age.

Superintendent Deasy wants to give each L.A. Unified student a high-tech device. That would mean 700,000 pieces of digital equipment costing about $450 million, not counting more than $200 million (and possibly double that) to update the campus' wireless Internet service. But his plan needs work.

Deasy's request for a first-phase infusion of $17.4 million in school bond money fell short by one vote.The vote was only advisory, and the school board could still approve the expenditure, but for now Deasy's office says he has no plans to bring it up again, and that's a good idea.

It may not be long until it becomes common to hear teachers start a lesson by asking students to pull out their cellphones.

As schools try to add more technology during a time when they are receiving less funding, many will begin to consider allowing students to use devices they already own. That will include cell phones and electronic tablets like iPads.