If you work in a district like New York City, then you are banned from harnessing the power of cell phones in education...today. However, when we have magazines like District Administrator offering guides and advice on using mobile devices, and the Secretary of Education calling for educators to harness the power of cell phones to support learning, you know it's only a matter of time before more an more schools lift the ban, and enable students to use the tools most all of them have access to anyway.If you haven't seen the edition of District Administrator you can check out the stories here:
Mobile Devices in the Classroom
Phones, netbooks and iPods are finding a place in the curriculum and expanding student access to technology.
At a Glance: Mobile Devices
Learn the various mobile tools.
Is It Safe to Allow Cell Phones in School?
If you can't say no to cell phones, start beefing up your emergency crisis plans.
From Cell Phone Skeptic to Evangelist
Liz Kolb, former teacher and founder of www.cellphonesinlearning.com, speaks out.
Why Teachers Must Go Mobile
A former teacher turned mobile phone expert encourages teachers to use cell phones in lessons.
If you haven't seen our education secretary discuss his support of cells in education, you can listen to him at the below photolink.
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Linked article: Learning? There’s an App for That!
mLearning happening in New Zealand. Check out TV segment: http://tiny.cc/V5Q8E
ReplyDeleteThe project is researched: students and teachers are interviewed. Teachers' deliberate acts of teaching are hugely important in positive learning for students using these tools.
I have to confess a level of confusion here. You rage against IWBs, but you promote cell phones. IWBs cost a lot of money. True. Cell phones cost money. Okay, you can get a 'free phone', but don't forget to add on the data plan, or at least the txt msg plan. But that doesn't cost a school anything. Just the families.
ReplyDeleteThere is an economic side to the notion of cell phone use.
@ken Difference is 94% of American households already own cell phones with texting plans...no additional cost to the school.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to read my comment and to post a reply.
ReplyDeleteI won't deny the 94 percent...I'm a bit part of that percentage. But why 94 percent? Why are we texting? Why are we spending this money? The need? The improved quality of life? The ability to bring people together? Phooey.
A lot of people, say 94% of those residing in American households, are spending hundreds of dollars more a year to have this necessary text plan.
Perhaps your concern is only with money coming from the school districts. I have a tough time separating the spending on this type of technology, no matter who pays for it.
Can we say that 94% of American households have been duped? sold a bill of goods? About texting!? Soon enough, if Verizon is really smart, they'll start selling interactive whiteboards.