Should cell phones be used at school to promote learning, taking a step forward in 21st century education? Using cell phones at school would be safer and make parents more confident in being able to contact their children immediately in case of an emergency. It can also be used for educational purposes, to contact others and complete tasks online. Many students have smartphones, which are more available, and more advanced technology than many schools. Schools that have started using cell phones in school are having success and students are more engaged in class. Schools should allow the use of cell phones for safety and educational purposes because they are handy and cost little or nothing to the school. Parents feel more comfortable if they can contact their children at any time. Students can reach out to their parents or family whenever they need it, whether it's a problem at school or home, or just to feel safer. The 1999 shooting at Columbine High School and the terrorist attacks of September 2001 triggered policy changes aimed at easing restrictions on cell phone use at school (Ballaro). This has fueled a national debate about the safety benefits and distractions of using cell phones at school. If parents and students could contact each other during the school day, this could inform students of an emergency or potentially help prevent an emergency. Most students carry their phones with them throughout the school day, giving us the opportunity to use them to benefit their education and safety. Cell phones can be used as a learning tool to do homework and communicate with others, allowing them to complete group assignments. Smartphones are one of the newest tools in technology, so they're extremely high-priced... middle of the paper... and don't give us much reason not to use them in the classroom. While cell phones can be a distraction during class, many schools have been successful in using them for educational purposes, and this could potentially spread across the nation, allowing cell phones in schools in all 50 states. There are many pros and cons to using cell phones in schools, but overall the pros outweigh the cons and it would be a good idea to start using cell phones in the classroom. Works Cited Ballaro, Beverly. “Cell Phones at School: An Overview.” Reference center Points of view. EBSCO Industries, 2013. Web. 04 November 2013.Higgins, Josh. “More schools will allow students to bring smartphones and tablets to class.” United States today. August 7, 2013. Gannett. November 04, 2013. Watters, Audrey. “Why schools should stop banning cell phones and use them for learning.” MediaShift. PBS. PBS, 29 August 2011. Web. 04 November. 2013.