One of my array of workshops at NECC 2009, there was a discussion about the use of cell phones in school and as a learning tool.
Currently most schools ban cel phones for use during instruction time. However, students are going to bring them to school and even attempt to use them during instruction.
So why fight the battle? How can we use cell phones as an instructional tool?
Ian Jukes recently posted a great article / blog about this on the committed sardine - http://committedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?CFID=20712&CFTOKEN=cc53a233699fe469-98E39DFD-19B9-B4CD-184656BFF3AC2C6E
So what do you think?
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Let me begin by answering the question, "Why fight the battle?" My honest answer is because as educators it's our battle to fight. Parents are purchasing and putting into the hands of children an abundance of tech tools including cell phones without proper instruction and/or guidance as to appropriate and ethical use of the tools. Would you give a child a car and just tell them to drive? Absolutely not - but we as a society have given keys to tech tools that are far more powerful without guidance and then condemn the child for inappropriate use. It is the role of educators to educate children and prepare them for the society in which they are to live, not the society of the past. Educators must prepare and plan to educate the whole child and that includes all the digital mediums they use on a daily basis especially cell phones.
ReplyDeleteThe list of instructional uses for cell phones is monumental. Educators are able to use cell phone technologies to teach core content in all subject areas. For example, every student would be motivated to excel in language arts literacy (reading , writing, speaking and spelling) if the use of cell phones is incorporated into instruction. Mathematical concepts and calculations will be enhanced with a cell phone in hand along side of a calculator. Social studies instruction including lessons in communication ethics using cell phones would open the walls of the classroom in such a manner where true communication and collaboration would be a wonderful addition to the curriculum. The list could go on and on and all would contribute to student academic success.
Well, those are some of my thoughts. Let’s keep the dialogue going and the blog growing. 8-)
I would have to agree with Edith. We have to begin to take responsibility as educators and prepare our students to acquire 21st Century Skills. Our students are ready and the typical barriers that one may encounter from the traditional classroom setting are not major issues when new innovative ways of teaching develop.
ReplyDeleteCell phones are mini computers that are equipped to meet the needs of diverse users. Blogging, computing, recording, writing, researching, archiving, podcasting, photographing, networking, communicating, video-conferencing, etc. are just a few things that can be addressed using these hand-held pocket tools, which are considered a: phone, camera, clock, recorder, alarm, timer, calculator, phonebook, word-processor, note taker, calendar, planner, internet tool, mp3 player, photo album, GPS Navigator, spell-checker, dictionary, etc.
This instructional tool can assist students with making connections beyond the four walls and begin to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. This instrument should change the mindset of how the digital-age learners function. It is our responsibility to educate students on how to use such devices appropriately and generate positive energies on improving educational technology and cultivating the 21st Century Learners.