In my previous blog, I talked a little bit about technology in the classroom. As future educators, I find this to be a very important topic of discussion since technology isn’t going anywhere so quickly. Kinjo Kiema wrote “As Schools Lift Bans on Cell Phones, Educators Weigh Pros and Cons” which talks a lot about the use of cell phones in the classroom. There are many ways to make the classroom interactive and engaging with technology.
This article was exactly what I would have written. First, many students 
already do have cell phones, more specifically, smartphones. These devices are capable of more than just calling, texting, and games. There are applications made to help students with school. For example, there are notebook apps which allow students to stay organized. This would actually help many students. Also, there are applications such as word searches or crossword puzzles that can help expand a student’s vocabulary and spelling. These can be easily applied to any lesson plan.
Second, we need to embrace the use of smartphones by making them part of the lesson. This can be used as a great review game. For example, there is a great interactive website, Kahoot, that allows students to log in on their phones and connect to the review game. This would give the students that opportunity to use their phones, but for an educational purpose.
Lastly, some schools have “cell phone zones” where you are only allowed to use your cell phone in that identified area. Another way to use these “zones” inside your classroom could be “signs indicating whether the students can use their devices. A green stoplight means they 
can use them; red means no” (Kiema). Using a stoplight is a way of guidance yet there are expectations. If you are using this in your classroom, it has to be monitored. If the students are not using their time appropriately, cell phones should go away for the rest of the day.
There are many other resources teachers could use to incorporate cell phones into their lessons. Again, we need to embrace the technology since it’s going to continue to expand and grow. As a future teacher, I understand that the majority of my students will have a cell phone, but why should we scold them to put it away when it can be used as a part of instruction? Teachers need to provide an lesson that utilizes these devices.
Future Teachers of America 