Minnesota teacher allows in-class smartphone use

Skjeveland said from a student's perspective, it's nice to have a teacher trust students to use their smartphones in an educational way. He said having the privilege in class actually makes the students want to be more responsible and not want to rebel and try to use the smartphone in a negative way in school.

Senior Jacob Goodwin, who doesn't have a smartphone, but looks at one with classmates, said he has used the technology to look up his report card online

Kuschel, who has been a science teacher at C-I for 35 years, said there are some problems associated with students using their smartphones in class but it is something that could be worked on. Kuschel said there are ways around things so students can't cheat on tests or assignments, for example. Kuschel said the format on tests could be changed to help block cheating. Kuschel said to stop other cheating, such as plagiarism, students could text their drafts to the teacher in stages so he or she could see their work in progress.

Kuschel said the school district has worked on its technology, including purchasing iPads for the fifth- and sixth-graders, but is looking at how to advance the technology for the seventh- through 12th-graders to satisfy their learning curve when it comes to technology.

"We're trying to keep up," said Kuschel.