For the first time in history the school walls have been penetrated; education faces an unprecedented challenge. The fundamental structure and operation of schools have shown remarkable resilience over the past 2-3 centuries, and a unique similarity across countries and cultures. A pupil or teacher of 1800s would still feel quite familiar in a modern school, despite the many and varying reforms. The walls of the school have successfully maintained its internal stability.
The mobile phone has brought a small but unprecedented revolution. Despite regulations to the contrary, mobile phones are being used in the classroom to fight boredom, to keep in touch with those 'outside', to play games with one another inside the classroom, to shoot videos of the teacher, to cheat during an exam. For the first time, pupils and teachers are not alone in the classroom. The mobile phone is unique in piercing the school walls wide open.
Will the kids get over it? Will educators react with stricter prohibition? Will the education system somehow evolve to adapt?
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