If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Due to recent trends in technology advancement, educators have begun to find ways to integrate all forms of technology the best they can. Cell phones are being upgrading every 4 to 6 months and new accessories are being added to them. Cell phones have calculators, internet access, dictionaries, cameras, and instant messaging included. These devices can be integrated into classroom instructions just like computers were integrated decades ago. Here are just a few ideas that can be implemented in schools to help deal with the growing trend of cell phones usage in the classroom. Cell phone calculators can be used in Math classes and will soon take the place of the average calculator used today. Camera phones can be used in science or art classes as a way to enhance achievement through visual learning. Some cell phones have wireless Internet access that can be used to further enhance classroom instruction. Since cell phones are cheaper than computers, students can conduct research using their cell phones instead of buying a computer to surf the internet. Science students might conduct fieldwork and submit their observations or data to via the internet. Literature and English students can benefit from being able to quickly find the definition of a word. Additionally, students who are ESL (English as a Second Language) students especially can benefit from translation dictionaries which are becoming available on cell phones. Perhaps these ideas will be a catalyst to setting new trends in technology usage in schools. Technology is advancing at astronomical rates and new trends and issues will present themselves as the years go by. Throughout public education, there will be new challenges that may help or hurt integration of technology in the future. As new gadgets and devices are developed, new trends will develop and new obstacles will appear. Education will adapt one way or the other and society will always influence the way students, teachers, and administrators react to the new trends in technology.