Free Webinar 7/23, 4pm EST, on Cell Phones in the Classroom
When we were at NECC earlier this month, the topic of cell phones as learning devices popped up several times. While it isn’t practical right now in my elementary setting, if you are a secondary teacher, you might enjoy this Cellphones as Instructional Tools Webinar co-sponsored by Education Week and Sprint. From the Web site:
This free event is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
Cellphones have been called “the new paper and pencil” or “the new laptop,” and they could be in the hands of as many as 10 million to 15 million schoolchildren in the next few years. For their instructional potential and ability to connect students to the Internet, mobile devices are quietly making their way into schools in the United States and abroad. What does your district, school, or classroom need to make this technology leap? Guests will discuss policy and implementation issues and offer practical curriculum ideas for every subject.
Presenters:
Elliot Soloway, professor, School of Information, School of Education, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan
Liz Kolb, education technology instructor, University of Michigan and Madonna University; author, Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education
Ron Myers, principal, Trinity Meadows Intermediate School, Keller, TexasModerator:
Elizabeth Rich, online editor of teachermagazine.org and Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook
Soloway gave a similar presentation in our district this spring, and I’ve browsed Kolb’s book and found it full of clever ideas and tricks (some of which would also work on desktops or laptops). As some of you know, I got an iPhone last month after months of using cell phones for nothing but dialing and listening … and now I am a smartphone maniac.I think there are powerful educational uses, especially for easily distracted students who may find that a smaller screen helps them focus their attention.Enjoy!
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Cell phones as and educatiional tool is a mind stretching concept. In my school district, cell phones are prohibited, due to communications to individuals outside of school and the negative community involvement which may ensue. A further concern is how will this be monitored? And what about students who do not have access to this level of technology within a classroom setting? How far do we allow technology to influence curriculum and instruction? How does the changing definition of literacy affect instruction? How will districts already struggling with budgetal conerns address the technological explosion taking place today and in the future? Finally, how do we monitor access to information?