Digitally Old

Do you remember the days when friends would call your house to get a hold of you? And if by some chance you weren't home you would just have to call them back later? If you do you, like me, are what I like to call digitally old.

I don't even think I got a cell phone until I was a junior or senior in high school. It was prepaid and didn't even have a full key board. Gasp!

Now, cell phones with Internet access, cameras, music, games, apps for virtually everything, full keyboards, touch screens and who knows what else are glued to the sides of everyone from ages 10 to 99.

Even school administrators think cell phones should be invited into the school day — in between classes and in the lunch room. Partly because, well, it doesn't seem like a big deal anymore. Another because phones hold the key to the city, so to speak. They are used instead of watches to check the time. A conversation to a friend is only a few key strokes away. And the answer to anything is second in reach.

About seven out of the 21 school districts in Genesee County allow students to use their cell phones during the day, sometimes in class for educational tools if the teacher allows it.

My, how times have changed. As for me, I'm still behind the times. My phone allows me to text, make phone calls and take not-so-elaborate photos. But hey, it's no longer prepaid and it has a full keyboard. I'm moving up in the world.

Here's my recent story in The Flint Journal.

By Sarah Schuch | The Flint Journal

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Cellphone-toting students are now texting, talking and surfing the Internet in some local schools, as some districts loosen restrictions on electronic devices.

Some educators say they’re embracing the learning potential of smart phones and other devices. Others say they’re just bowing to the inevitable.

A new cellphone policy in the Flushing School District allows high school students to use their phones in between classes until the bell rings to start each period. Previously, Flushing students could use the phone only at lunchtime during the school day.

“For me not allowing cell phones was like locking me out of the library,” said Flushing High School Principal Jason Melynchek. “Why would we stop them from looking up something, having access to information? This is what our technology is providing us.”

Read what other schools have to say at Mlive.com.