Should schools be allowed to block cell phone voice and data service?I am trying to help my middle school debate team get ready for their first...

Interesting
question...however, let me rephrase
it just a bit and see if any opinions change.

As
educators, think of the costs associated with provided technology in
secondary
education. The capital expense, the upkeep, network costs, damage,
loss, etc. Computers become
outdated, damaged, obsolete. Most school
districts are required to run levys or bonds to acquire
computers that become
outdated before they are even installed and running. Most schools can only

provide computers in special computer labs and maybe schools have 2 or 3 labs for use.
It's even
worse in each classroom where perhaps there are half a dozen units.
Certainly not enough for
each student. Using them becomes a management
nightmare.

Now consider this:
what if I showed you a way
where EVERY student can have their own computer in class? What if I
told you
there would be no cost to the school district? No updating, no maintainance costs,
no
liability for damage or loss? Sound too good to be true? Well, that's
exactly what a smart phone
is. A computer more powerful than most desktops of
only a few short years ago.

The challenge, of course, is
helping students (and parents) understand the appropriate
use of this
technology. Like it or not, as long as there is electricity, students will have
cell
phones. Trying to limit their use is as fruitless as trying to eliminate
gum chewing. Better to
establish the proper way to use them than trying to
limit them. Get on board or be left behind,
I think.