The Potential of Mobile Technology

Comment by Clinton D. Felber on October 2, 2009 at 7:00pm

I think that you make a good point in understanding the growing popularity of cell phones todays schools. I agree that cell phones have some potential for use in the classroom. As of now, however, I do not think cell phones should be used in the classroom. I just see too many problems and complications that would need to be worked out. First of all, all students would need to have a cell phone, and I know that not all students have access to one. Another problem is that not all cell phones are alike. Some cell phones have more functions and greater range of uses. It would not be fair for a public school to require student to have cell phones. If a school had to provide students with cell phones, what would be the point. And my last point would be that the distractions posed by cell phones might be to great to make cell phone use in the classroom plausible.

Comment by Shawn Roner on October 5, 2009 at 2:39pm

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I think you and I probably agree on many of the problems associated with using cell phones in the classroom. It's true that not all students have cell phones, but most do. It's interesting to consider that cell phones might present an interesting alternative to one-to-one computer access in the classroom (considering how quickly cell phone technology is advancing). But, your point about the variations in cell phone functionality is a good one. I'm not sure how teachers would overcome this problem. One other point, the distraction issue is a very important problem to consider. I tend to agree. Cell phones present a big problem when it comes to classroom management. I would respond by asking a simple question, How might teacher pedagogy minimize these problems? Just a thought.

Comment by Robin E.Ruiz on November 8, 2009 at 1:55pm

First of all Teacher training, and consistency is the key to behavior management.
I would like to walk into a classroom and on any given day I can tell you the students who are focused and the students who are not focused. Students can find ways to be distracted if they are not interested.

I believe that one day we might have a screen that has everyones screen conected via wirreless as soon as they walk into the classroom via the blue tooth technology.

The other factor is we are in a Multi diverse culture, we have many cereals to chose from, we have many tasks to do, Students are very advanced in this way. Unfortunately wqe are not showing them the multi layers of education that we should be. I propose that buying and I Pod devise for each student and putting on the type of Apps specific to that student's learning needs. The Books could be loaded and unloaded per course. Assessments and assignments would be sent via text. It seems all very simple to me!

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