Mobile Devices and Cell Phones in the Classroom: Distraction or "Swiss Army Knife"

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amy Nichols on December 4, 2011 at 9:10pm

What a great list of activities for cellphones in the classroom. Many of these activities can be done outside the classroom, too -- which is one of the really nice side-effects of utilizing students own cellphones for these tools (as opposed to district owned devices that are only used in class).

 

My district has a selection of iPod Touches on mobile carts.  They are not heavily utilized, as the logistics of making the carts available to the right teacher at the right time have been difficult to overcome.  To me, the benefit of having the kids just pull out their own interactive electronic from their pocket and be totally familiar with the user interface far outweigh the disadvantages of "having the cell phone in class".   I believe that an effective instructor can incorporate cell phone management into their customary classroom management techniques.  Frankly, if the kids are interacting with the class or the teacher with their cellphone, they will have less opportunity to interact with their phone in ways that are not sanctioned by the school administration.

 

I believe that BYOD -- bring your own device -- programs will be the norm in Ed Tech in the next few years, and the question will not be whether we allow student-owned devices in schools, but how will we support student-owned devices and assist teachers with that part of the instructional interaction. 

Permalink Reply by Sandy Tam on February 20, 2012 at 9:41am

At my school there are 20 laptops available that are not efficient due to them being old and the server is not reliable. There is an IT suite, but that is used all the time for IT classes. The bottom line is that there is a lack of technology for students to use. I really like the idea of students bringing their own mobile device into school to use. This is a viable idea at my school as all the students have a range of mobile devices at home because they are all quite well off. The thing is, at the moment, only students with a learning need have permission to bring their own lap top to school. So I totally agree with your idea of  'the question will not be whether we allow student-owned devices in schools, but how will we support student-owned devices and assist teachers with that part of the instructional interaction.'

Permalink Reply by Lisa Napierala on February 15, 2012 at 4:24pm

I really enjoyed Tom Barrett's Google Doc on ways to use an iPod in the classroom.  This article was not about cell phones, but about iPods.  He discussed a lot of great apps and uses for the iPod.  This would be a cheaper way to incorporate technology into the classroom instead of getting more expensive tools such as iPads.  One of his ideas is using Google Forms on the iPod.  I just discovered Google forms and love it!  I think it is much more simple to use than Survey Monkey.  The basic video function can be used for a variety of tasks such as book talks, students retelling a story, or acting out a scene as a historical person for social studies.  There are endless uses for iPods!