Hello everybody

I think this is a very interesting topic for discussion and we as a teacher should take it into consideration for its advantages for both the teacher and the students .

For the students :

1. it  gives you instant feedback, unlike paper examinations in a traditional classroom learning session.
2. it  gives you the option of taking practice tests whenever you want as

some assessments are Internet-based, and this allows students to take the test at home or anywhere they want .

3- there is no cheating .

For the teacher :

1. Teacher can distribute multiple versions of the exams and assignments without having to manually monitor which students got which tests .
2. it allows the teacher to quickly evaluate the performance of the group .
3. it takes up less time and effort .
4. All data can be stored on a single server .
5. Teachers can mix and match the question styles on exams, including graphics      and make them more interactive than paper exams .
6. Eliminates human error in grading .

Disadvantages for students :

1. not all students can use the computer very well .
2. it doesn’t  give teachers the options to see your line of thinking to get to your answer.

Disadvantages for the teacher :

1. Technology isn't always reliable. Information can be lost if a system breaks down.
2. In some cases, teachers need some technical expertise to create exams.
3. The costs to set up an electronic assessment system in a learning institution or business training environment can cost thousands, even tens of thousands.

4- Testing online is not suitable for essay writing and analysis or cognitive thinking testing.

                                                                 Allowing students to use their cell phones in the classroom is a bad idea because of the following reasons:

• Cell phones cause distraction. Students can easily be distracted when their phones ring or vibrate, and the learning process will be totally disrupted when the students start to send and read messages or make and receive calls. Moreover, with the advent of smart phones, it is now easy for students to access the internet and play or shop online

.
• Cell phones can be used in cheating. Text messaging is the new note passing. Students can exchange text messages with test answers on them without the teacher’s knowing.

• Cell phones can be used in bullying. Students can take a video or a picture of their teachers and/or classmates that can be dehumanizing.
• Cell phones can be detrimental to school safety. Cell phones can cause chaos during bomb and other threats because of the parents’

rushing to the school.
• Cell phones can be health hazards. Constant exposure to the radiation emitted by mobile phones may be bad for the students 

using mobile is very effective in teaching as both of the teacher and student can use it in :

1- they can use the dictionaries that avialuble in it .

2- they can send messages .

3- they can communicate with each others for urgent news