WASHINGTON-Teachers and principals from 120 U.S. schools that were supplied with wireless phones said the phone would be their first choice for a communications tool to have in the classroom, followed by computers and the Internet.
The schools were equipped with the wireless handsets by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association Foundation for Wireless Communication as part of its ClassLink program. Local operators provide free airtime to the pilot ClassLink schools.
The survey asked the educators to rate the usefulness of a variety of technologies, including cable television, wireless phones, video links, digital cameras, curriculum software, the Internet and computers.
Teachers cited emergency communications, better communications with parents and other teachers, saving time and a decreased feeling of isolation in the classroom as the top reasons for wanting wireless phones in classrooms.
