The National School Boards Association has an online discussion about topics of interest to school boards. Individuals may post questions about select issues. An expert will respond at a scheduled time.
One topic is scheduled for an April 15 response: Dealing with Cell Phones, Cameras, and other 21st Century Intrusions in the Classroom.
This is an interesting situation for those who formulate and operationalize school policy.
I wonder, respectfully, who decides what an intrusion is and based on which criteria does an electronic tool constitute an intrusion?
If a student brings his or her Tablet PC into a classroom, is the presence of the tool an intrusion, or does it depend on how the student uses the tool? Some Tablet PCs have a camera attached. If she uses the Tablet PC (with or without a camera) to complete an assignment, is it an intrusion if the teacher does not also use electronic tools in class? I can imagine answers, but I don’t know how school board attorneys define a 21st Century intrusion.
Also, is intrusion a real or a possible problem? How frequently do cell phones, cameras, and other 21st century tools such as wireless Tablet PCs occur in classrooms and in which classrooms? I understand from anecdotes the potential for misuse. I do not remember seeing data about the frequency or scope of actual identified misuse beyond anecdotes.
Also, how does acceptable use compare with misuse of these tools? Again based on online anecdotes, I understand that an increasing number of teachers ask students to use these electronic tools to complete assignments. Does this mean that the presence of electronic tools are not authorized and therefore intrude into administrative oversight of classrooms?
I wonder to what extent any policy about using electronic tools in class will affect the use of Tablet PCs in education? Hmmm, this could hit close to home.