New York teachers learn cell phone lessons

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- New York's school system is instructing teachers on how to integrate cell phones into lessons -- despite a citywide ban on mobile phones in schools.

The city Department of Education's Office of Instructional Technology has been offering teachers the courses, which include a lesson planned Friday on how to use cell phones to search word definitions, currency exchange rates and maps on the Google Web site, the New York Sun reported Friday.

Lisa Nielsen, the creator of the class and a manager of professional development at the technology department, said the purpose of the lessons is not to undermine Mayor Michael Bloomberg's school cell phone ban.

However, she said she does not agree with the city's stance and believes the schools should be able to set their own cell phone policies.

"I think that we should respect their views and let them lead the school the way they feel is most effective," she said.