tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post3576314486838364130..comments2024-03-28T05:35:07.354-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Five Ways Innovative Educators Can Use Texting As a Professional ToolLisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-55626038314631617472010-02-27T12:38:54.415-05:002010-02-27T12:38:54.415-05:00The biggest problem I can see with this (although ...The biggest problem I can see with this (although there are a lot of good points) is that students will definitely struggle with the rule of teachers being allowed to actively use their cell phones in class while they as students, are not. <br /><br />Randy, I really like your idea of a rewards system in response to Mike's questions about management. I do think it would be very hard to make sure students are staying on task, but by implementing a rewards system this may be easier to come by. <br /><br />I also liked how Randy would allow students to take pictures of their notes and assignments so there is no excuse for them not to know and be responsible for their assignments. Also, the fact that you allow students to text each other allows for students to have to time to use their cellphones in class and when the time of texting each other is up, they know to put them away. This perhaps is a way of coping with the fact of teachers being allowed to have cell phones? I also think the cell phone is a great use for students to find alternate information through the internet to contribute to class discussion. <br /><br />As a college student, I really like the fact that the school has an emergency texting system which allows information on the weather and any possible emergency that occurs to be texted to my phone. This is a really easy way for schools to connect with parents in elementary, middle, and high schools in case of any sort of emergency. <br /><br />I remember when I was in public school that those obnoxious announcements really disrupted class. Having school wide cell phones would allow for announcements not pertaining to the whole school to be sent through text message to the specific teacher thus decreasing interruptions during class.<br /><br />I'm curious as to whether anyone has taken advantage to the poll system, Google system, or Twitter applications through their cell phone within a school district. I would be curious to see whether these are effective ways of integrating education into the classroom. Thank you so much for posting this article! It has some really great information, particularly for up and coming educators, like myself!ED205 Jilliannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-42271946910643069132010-02-24T16:57:30.170-05:002010-02-24T16:57:30.170-05:00I just wanted to tell you that you are a great res...I just wanted to tell you that you are a great resource for educators and I spread the info around as much as I can!Alexis Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11605947572319995257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-15597938161381370392010-01-10T15:27:19.953-05:002010-01-10T15:27:19.953-05:00Randy,
I believe this is worth a shot. I like you...Randy,<br />I believe this is worth a shot. I like your idea of a reward system. It is possible that at least some of them can "get it" that we are trying something new, and how much we progress and continue to use this technology really relies on how they respond.Mike Staplesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-76652076925412907652010-01-10T14:54:26.577-05:002010-01-10T14:54:26.577-05:00Randy,
We have the same problem in our school syst...Randy,<br />We have the same problem in our school system. Our school has a "no cell phone" policy as well but there are many times when they can come in handy. The students love to use their cell phones, and these days so many of the smart phones are like personal computers so why can't we find ways to utilize them? I let my students use them as calculators or to look up something quickly, but the bottom line is that they are constantly texting people outside the classroom. If we decide to let them use these phones there has to be strict guidelines as to when and how they are used. Recently I had a student who asked to use his phone as a calculator on a test try to text an answer to another student in my class. This also brings up privacy issues as well. I knew the student did this, but I could not go through is phone and check. Instead I had to send the phone to the office and wait for a parent to pick it up and then check for cheating. I love the idea of using this technology in the classroom, but I feel we are just not ready for it yet. There needs to be some policies put in place before this can collectively happen in our school districts.Mike Staplesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-16595695830039378722010-01-09T22:59:24.148-05:002010-01-09T22:59:24.148-05:00Mike,
I agree that the biggest issue would by man...Mike,<br /><br />I agree that the biggest issue would by mangagement of the cell phones and what the students were using them for in class. However, I believe that we would be missing an excellent opportunity for our students if we were to eliminate this method entirely. At first you may have a few students that were not staying on task, however, after a few of the students were caught I am fairly certain this would end quickly. I think I would organize this activity by explaining to the students that we are trying somethink new and play the lesson off as a sort of reward. I think the students would love this idea and work harder when they feel they earned a fun lesson. Just a thought. We are entering the topic of World War I soon, I think I may try something using the students phones to see how it works. I will let everyone know what happens.Randy Vanvolkinburgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-55343869579238382382010-01-06T16:26:55.392-05:002010-01-06T16:26:55.392-05:00I think the idea of using cell phones as an educat...I think the idea of using cell phones as an educational tool is very innovative. The problem arises that most of our schools incorporate a heavy cell phone ban, and usage charges from cell phone blogging or chat room are bound to hurt parent wallets even more then they already are. In addition, how can I organize an activity where I know students are not wasting time just surfing the internet or texting friends? I do believe that there is value somewhere in this idea. It is a proven fact that students' interest peaks when they are using a technology they are comfortable with and simply enjoy using. Setting up a "classroom" Twitter account would be a great idea! How did you organize your learning unit from Nokia? Did you receive a grant, or was this funded through your school?Mike Staplesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-76371909693746808222010-01-06T13:19:15.749-05:002010-01-06T13:19:15.749-05:00One of the biggest issues we as educators work aro...One of the biggest issues we as educators work around is the use of cell phones in the classroom. I teach 9th and 10th grade global studies and I am constantly telling the students to put their phones away. In our school as well students are not to have their phones on them during school hours, but everyone knows that they do. The rule is rarely enforced and often by half of the staff. <br /><br />Recently there has been a movement in our school to allow the use of the student's cellphone in a specific category. In my class I have the students photograph their notes and assignments so the work is always with them and they are being held responsible for what is owed. I have also allowed the students to text one another for a few minutes when working together in an assignment. I have also had students that have the internet on their phone use it to look up an answer in class. The students love to use their phones yet I still find students texting others outside school and in other classes.<br /><br />Secondly, I like the idea that the school would be able to reach the parents and students themselves through text messaging. This would allow more people to be reached in the event of a snow day or an important classroom announcement. The only issue I foresee is for the students (and there is a few) who do not have a cell phone. Why not utilize the new technology and eliminate the archaic method of a phone tree or the announcement system.<br /><br />Cell phones are an excellent tool when used productively in a classroom. However, we as teachers may be setting ourselves up for failure as the students may argue the point of why they can have their cell phone out at one time and not another. In this respect we must do what is best for our students and rather than eliminating cell phones entirely, working around any issues and bringing a tool already in the hands of the students into the classroom environment.Randy Vanvolkinburgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-62230185478911577252009-12-19T13:05:18.235-05:002009-12-19T13:05:18.235-05:00My 9th graders are currently working on a mobile l...My 9th graders are currently working on a mobile learning unit using Nokia devices on loan to us from a partnering organization. While the "official" loan allowed us to work around the cell phone ban, managing their recurring distribution and collection, checking for parts, and teaching and re-teaching the functions seemed a tremendous waste of time (and an unnecessary stress). Use of students' own phones would have allowed us smoother implementation, less fear of theft, and the oppotunity to teach students the potential of their existing technology.Juliette LaMontagnehttp://learningloam.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com