I am truly interested in integrating cell phones into my high school classes. Seventy nine percent of teens have them and if the majority of them are like my own teenagers, they don’t leave home without them. Rather than saying no, no, no, how can we as educators integrate them to enhance the learning of our students.
Liz Kolb, the guru of cell phones for learning provides a plethora of strategies for integrating cell phones into the classroom. Check out her blog at http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/ On her blog you’ll be able to listen to her blogtalkradio show that she does right from her cell phone. I would love to do it; however at $7500 per month, it’s more than this doctoral student can afford. Her first episode, “Should Cell Phones Be Allowed For Learning”. Interestingly, she talks about a study being done at Presbytarian Ladies College in Sydney (Devaney, 2008). I included this same study in my presentation on Cells Phones in the Classroom. This study demonstrates the importance of creating assessments that align with 21st Century Skills.
Hall Davidson is also a supporter of cell phones for learning. He presented at NECC in San Antonio this past July. His presentation, “It’s in your pocket: Teaching spectacularly with cell phones” highlights strategies for teachers who wish to incorporate cell phones into their classrooms.
Davidson, H. (July 1, 2008). It’s in your pocket: Teaching spectacularly with cell phones. Presented at the National Educators Computing Conference, San Antonio, TX. Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://ubiquitousthoughts.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/necc-2008-july-1-hall-davidson-on-cell-phones-in-education/
Devaney, L. (Sept. 2008). Open book exam 21st century-style: Educators begin to ponder if students should be allowed to use digital devices to take tests. Retrieved October 11, 2008 from http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=55284
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4 comments:
This topic is fascinating. The rules and ethics of these tools has grown immensely over the past decade. It is nice to see someone providing strategies and methods for using these tools in a positive way rather than depicting them as useless social outlets without the ability to provide any valuable information. It is so interesting to see that there are real studies being done on this topic. Usually, anytime this topic is mentioned, people tend to stray away from even discussing it as a possibility as a tool for learning. I admit, I think there are many other tools available that I would use initially due to financial issues and lack of resources. However, it is nice to have this topic researched to show what we can expect in the future.
Heather
I just finished reading an article where Honawar (2008) discussed many implications to cell phone use in several regions. In Boston, cell phones need to be turned off and stored out-of-sight. In Chicago and the District of Columbia individual schools are allowed to set their own rules. In Dallas younger students cannot carry cell phones but older students may provided they are off during class. In Milwaukee and New York City students may not have cell phones.
Some teachers as well as students have felt stress due to the possibility that students could record class activities and post them to places such as YouTube.com without the subject's knowledge or permission.
How do you feel about this possibility and what kinds of policies do you think need to be implemented in order to help students and faculty feel more comfortable about having cell phones in classrooms?
Honawar, V. (2008, February). Cell phones in classrooms land teachers on online video sites. Education Digest, 73(6), 29-33. (Retrieved October 26, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database)
Hey Cyndi, Did you switch blogs, or have you always had this one. I thought yours looked similar to mine, but maybe that was someone else’s. I have Wordpress, and I can't put Shelfari on it, so I might get a different blog after this class, unless I can figure out how to transfer to another and keep the same name.
I don't object to the use of this technology with older students, but I have an issue with how those who don't have them would have to get them. Since there is a monthly fee involved, I see difficulties in making them mandatory.
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