Feedback & Shout Outs EdCamp New Jersey 2023 will take place on Sat., November 18, 2023. Learn more and register here. EdTech Thought Banning Cell Phones in K-12 Schools is Dumb Cell Phones are Essential Learning Tools Cell phones keep students connected, informed, and able to respond to emergencies. They enable access to educational apps, websites, and digital knowledge. When used responsibly, cell phones can be powerful learning aids for interactive polling, collaborative research, multimedia projects, and more. Banning Phones Assumes the Worst in Students Prohibiting cell phones shows a lack of trust in students and breeds resentment. It punishes all for the mistakes of a few. Students need to learn self-control and responsible technology use. Banning drives phone use underground. Schools Should Evolve with the Times The world is digital now. Students must learn to navigate this landscape. Banning phones does not help. Cell phones allow students to participate more actively in class, pursue passions, and connect learning to real-world issues. Work With Students, Not Against Them Set ground rules together for healthy phone use instead of an outright ban. Leverage technology to create an engaging, relevant learning experience. Partner with students to unlock the academic potential of cell phones. Featured Content I attended the AI in Education Conference recently and I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Robert Zywicky, Dr. Richard Tomko, and Stanley Buchesky about the future of AI in K12 schools and the need for moving AI forward now and in 2024. In this conversation we discussed: Their visions for AI in education The role of Computer Science in AI in education Their predictions for the next year or so as it relates to AI in education.