Why Can’t I Bring my Cell Phone to School?

Ms. Joyner

Introduction:

Cell phones, iPods and other small electronic devices are a sign of the growing technology in society. Children as young as 2 years old have mastered the use of such devices before talking, reading or successfully using the potty. It is inevitable most students by the age of 8 have a cell phone, iPad or iPod. These items are often a huge distraction when brought to school. Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Walcott have been bombarded by school teachers and administrators to introduce a universal policy for all city schools that could prohibit students from bringing these devices to school. You are a part of the mayor’s task force and your input will be a part of the decision making process. You must make a presentation at City Hall with the mayor, chancellor and the adult school panel members which will impact the universal policy that will determine if students will be allowed to bring cell phones and other electronic devices to school.

Task:

Your task is to create a PowerPoint presentation that proposes a policy to the committee that reflects what you as students would be the best policy for everyone.

You will use the PPA format to document your information:

· What are the facts about the use of these devices in school?

· What are the current rules and regulations held by the your school and the NYCDOE

· Are there any benefits for the students and/or faculty?

· What distractions might be caused in school by the use of these devices?

· Create a policy that provides acceptable behavior and promotes a positive learning environment and encourages high academic standards.

· Incorporate your research into a PowerPoint presentation (10 slide minimum; visuals (graphs and pictures) highly recommended!

· You will have a dress rehearsal making your presentation to the class before you go to City Hall (oral presentation)

Process/Resources:

Ø You can work alone or with one other person – each person must present during the oral presentation as well as do a fair share of the work!

Ø Follow the step by step process of the Public Policy Analyst and complete the worksheet on each step to organize your research:

1. Define the problem

2. Gather evidence of the problem

3. Identify causes of the problem

4. Evaluate a policy

5. Develop your own solutions

6. Select the best solution

Ø Create your PowerPoint Presentation incorporating your research and your suggested universal policy. Your presentation should be a minimum of 5 – 7 minutes.

Resources:

· Disruptions

· Should Smart Phones be Banned

· Texting and Messaging

· Dealing with Gadgets in the Classroom

· Smartphones in the Classroom

· A is for App

· Why Wait for Superman

· Smartphones: A Concept?

Evaluation:

Assessment Rubric for PowerPoint Presentations

	Exemplary 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Beginning 1
Organization	Information presented in logical, interesting sequence	Information in logical sequence	Difficult to follow presentation--student jumps around	Cannot understand presentation--no sequence of information
Subject Knowledge	Demonstrates full knowledge by answering all class questions with explanations and elaborations	At ease with expected answers to questions but does not elaborate	Uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions	Does not have a grasp of the information. Cannot answer questions about subject
Graphics	Explain and reinforce screen text and presentation	Relate to text and presentation	Occasionally uses graphics that rarely support text and presentation	Uses superfluous graphics or no graphics
Research	Uses a variety of sources in reaching accurate conclusions	Uses a variety of sources in reaching conclusions	Presents only evidence that supports a preconceived point of view	Does not justify conclusions with research evidence
Oral Presentation Execution/Eye Contact	Maintains eye contact and pronounces all terms precisely. All audience members can hear	Maintains eye contact most of the time and pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation	Occasionally uses eye contact, mostly reading presentation, and incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing	Reads with no eye contact and incorrectly pronounces terms. Speaks too quietly

Conclusion:

Once you have completed this WebQuest you will be well informed!

You will understand how to go about solving a problem.

You should understand the positive and negative aspects of student’s use of cell phones in school.

You may be chosen to share your presentation to the student body!

Standards