How many of you use your smart phone as your primary camera? Primary computer, dictionary or note tablet? I’m sure many hands would be raised as we are addicted to having immediate access to information and productivity tools.
Contrasting, the majority of schools nationwide (and possibly worldwide) have banned the use of cell phones in the classroom. This is totally understandable as cellphones can be used as a tool for bullying, cheating, constant texting as well causing classroom distractions if not managed properly. How do you tell the student who wants to use their smart phone to photograph the chalkboard notes he/she can’t when indeed it will help them? A difficult dilemma.
Schools across the US are experimenting and finding the use of mobile phones in a controlled environment are enhancing the classroom learning experience. In a recent blog, Advancing Mobile Phones as Learning Devices, the Principal of New Milford HS experimented and allowed his teachers to use cellphones in the classroom for student response systems. They utilized Poll Everywhere, an application that checks for understanding, reviews prior learning, and informally assess the work. After a year of experimenting with mobile phones in the classroom, he concludes,
“As educators we must establish a vision for our students and model the use of cell phones as mobile learning devices in order to empower them to embrace the same view. We live in a world where these devices are a huge part of our student’s lives. Schools should position themselves to not only take advantage of this resource as budgets are tight, but also teach students about the powerful tool they possess.”
What are your opinions on opening the door to cell phone use as a classroom tool? Please share your experiences and best practices with the educators worldwide. We’ll all benefit!
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I really enjoy your blog. Each entry gives me something new to think about and I often follow the recommended reading. I have heard so many bad things about phones in the classroom, it was refreshing to hear some positive feedback.
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Great topic to write about. As educators we have the responsibility to model appropriate uses of all the technology we use. Living in Mexico we are a little bit behind the US where you live; this I know from teaching in a university setting and being the only one in my department who uses blogs. The students set up blogs for the first time in my classes, or use them to refer to support, help and extra practice they may want. Facebook is the most-often used social medium among my university students.
I consider it my responsibility to use Facebook…but in a different way than my students of course. Since I get easily distracted from friends chatting while I want to work, I keep it for a communication device only.