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Saved by Roxann Nys
on March 7, 2011 at 12:50:57 pm
Smartphones in the classroom? Yes, there are educational applications!
The cellphone industry is making a BIG pitch for using smartphones in the classroom. And, of course, there are a variety of opinions out there about using and not using them. My personal opinion--Why not? They are amazing tools, not toys, and so many kids are already carrying them around on a daily basis. Why not show them how they can use them to learn? When are we educators going to start connecting our kids to the real world? If we don't, I believe we'll find them looking elsewhere for learning experiences they can relate to...
Another, more recent article [Aug 03, 2009 (The Sacramento Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX] of interest is "Educators Look at Using Cell Phones as Teaching Tools" The article features how cell phones are being used in Joe Wood's science class at Somerset Middle School in Modesto, CA.
The book is written by Liz Kolb, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan studying Learning Technologies. She is also an adjunct Professor at Madonna University and a former high school teacher and technology coordinator. Liz maintains a website called "CellPhonesInLearning.com"Inside Michigan Education conducted an interview with Liz that you can read online.
A district developed a permission/use form for parents to sign to allow their children to use their cellphone in school. See sample here. Thanks to Pulaski Schools for the template.
Twitter in the classroom and as part of your PLN (personal learning network)
I use Twitter (on my smartphone and on my laptop) as part of my PLN (Personal Learning Network) to stay abreast of what’s happening with those I follow. Of course, not everything everyone posts is earth-shattering or important or even informative, but I have found it a good way to keep “in the know” about many new developments/announcements about EdTech info.
When you set up your Twitter account you have options as to who to follow and who can follow you (I know, at first it seems a little creepy…someone following you…) but you have complete control at all times. Yes, there are spammers who will try to follow you, but you can easily block them.
Twitter will FORCE you to say whatever you want to say in 140 characters or less. What a great way to learn to be concise.
If you are using Twitter (or aren’t but perhaps considering it,) below are two very interesting links you may want to check out. BTW, Green Bay Schools is now using Twitter to update users about the latest district happenings! One of their “followers” is local TV station WFRV. What a great way to get the word out to the community!
Think how many of your students have cell phones and access to text messaging. Twitter could be a useful tool for you to remind them about an assignment due or a test coming up or ANYTHING else!
How can Twitter might fit into learning environments? Dr. Monica Rankin, Professor of History at the School of Arts and Humanities at UT Dallas, wanted to reach more students and involve more people in class discussions both in and out of the classroom. She had heard of Twitter... She collaborated with the UT Dallas, Arts and Technology - Emerging Media and Communications (EMAC) faculty to create this experiment. This video is absolutely worth a look. (posted by Ian Jukes)
How does it work? Create an account online and then
You ask ask a question
Audience responds using mobile phones (or Twitter or the web)
Responses are displayed via PowerPoint, Keynote or the web
Poll Everywhere is free for audiences of 32 people (for the K-12 plan) or less and they offer paid plans for larger audiences. K-12 and Higher Education semester-long plans are also available. The individual teacher plan ($50/year) allows you to export responses for grading purposes as well as moderate responses before they are posted.
Thanks to Theresa Neuser, CESA 7 ETS Distance Learning Coordinator, for this info
Google Voice gives you a single phone number that can ring multiple phones. It saves your voicemail messages online and transcribes your voicemail to text. You can record custom greetings, so you can record a question for your students and have them answer or you can use it in a foreign language class. Google Voice is free to use, but you may need an invite to get an number. The invites are only taking about a week to receive.
Here are some examples to use in education:
Math Text Homework Hotline
Teachers use SMS forwarding for homework help
Teachers feel comfortable giving out a number
students can ask for help using text
Teacher can respond from phone, web or email
Science Data Gathering
Students leave the classroom to gather data
Students forward data via text to teacher
Teacher collated data
Students returned to use class set of data
Foreign Language Class - Sentence Structure
Students use a voice mail as their homework
Students speak a sentence in English and the foreign language
Teacher and Student can listen to it together for critique
Message is stored so students and teacher can see progression of fluency
Speech Class
Students can use to perfect their speech
Students call in and leave a part of their speech
Students and teacher can listen to speech
Teacher can download or email speech to students
Transcription will tell if student is they are annunciating and speed is correct
Study using your cell phone
Looking for ways to improve and increase retention of material outside of the classroom? StudyBoost is a tool that may help you. (Beta right now, but seems to work well enough to try it out!) StudyBoost could help make studying easy and convenient by complimenting studies using Instant Messaging or Text Messaging. You will need to set up an account online first, and then connect it to an existing social network (like Facebook, Google Talk) to use IM-ing, or to your cell phone number to use text messaging.
Cell Phone Safety
LG has teamed up with Jane Lynch of Glee to bring some mobile safety education to tweens and teens (and parents!) They have some lessons and a series of videos that are perfect for introducing mobile safety, discussions about sexting, mobile harassment, mobile teasing, driving and texting, and more with teenagers.
Liz Kolb's blog is a great resource!
From Toy to Tool: Cell Phones in Learning A conversation about integrating student cell phones into classroom curricula.
Liz authored Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education. She is an instructor at the University of Michigan studying Learning Technologies. She is also an adjunct Professor at Madonna University and a former high school teacher and technology coordinator.
This wiki is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. My thoughts do not always necessarily reflect the thoughts of my employer.
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