Media outbreak

Today in class we view several studies that were done to evaluate how much technology we are using as a society. One of the statistics what stood out the most for me was the number of younger and younger people with cells phones, and not only cell phones but smart phones. I think that it is really young for a 5th or 6th grader to have a cell phone, and there were a surprising amount K-2 who owed a cell phone. While I was surprised by the number who owned their own phones it is also plays in our favor as educators. While many teachers and school have strict no cell phone policies those that do allow them, we can now utilize them in class. With such things as the web site were it's an online poll and students are supposed to text the answer. It is a great way for the students to learn how to use their phones properly moreover become more engaged and involved in class. As I progressed through school I noticed a changed in the way some teacher felt about cell phones and I believe that, just the same with most other things, the more you tell a child, or most people even, that they cannot do/use something they are going to want to do/use that something even more. More teachers are finally joining the band wagon and joining their students with the technology craze. Technology shouldn't be viewed as a devil instrument put on this Earth to corrupt and brainwash our children, if used properly can and will be a great way to get every student involved in class and help each of them learn and succeed at the highest level. Whether we like it or not technology is taking over. It is everywhere we look and so intertwined in our children's lives that it would be crazy not to use it in the classroom.