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| theboneyard.org |
Read through "10 Proven Strategies to Break the Ban and Build Opportunities for Student Learning with Cell Phones" which was compiled by a group of teachers and ed tech people that tried these ideas and implemented these strategies in schools. My goal here is to have you read through the ideas in the post...you don't necessarily have to visit all of the embedded links unless you're interested in learning more. The one embedded link I would like you to look at is this one about managing cell phones in the classroom.
Kathy Schrock has compiled content-neutral free android apps for cellphones based on bloom's taxonomy.
So...where do you stand on the issue of literacy and texting? Which side of the fence are you sitting on with cellphones in school and why? What are your thoughts? Any new insights?
11 comments:
How and why texts speak originated. Text speaking originated so people could communicate quickly and efficiently. It is technology driven, 180 characters limited key boards and limited/too much to do time on our hands. The speed in which people work/play/communicate is always increasing, text speak is a magnification of short concise communications at the speed required of our modern age people. Text communication will not go away but will continue to adapt with time “learn the new game or don’t play” Text speaking has no harm as long as it is used in a social situational context, when it fits the context of what is required/needed to communicate efficiently. The job of instructors is to teach when and where to use it. Text speaking should not replace all forms of communication. Students must be taught to anticipate what style of communication is needed for the intended application, not used in academic/professional writing.
Text and future adaptation of communicating will continue. Language is a living entity that is expanding and changing as technology changes. Short hand, CB radio talk, traffic controller to pilot language are all forms of changing communication styles, get with it THE WAY WE SPEAK AND WRITE WILL CHANGE.
Using cell phones in class. Yes why not, teachers need to look at the type of students they are teaching “natives” and teach at their speed/style of learning. The teacher should have a well thought out lesson and permission from the administration. Someone has to be the first to try it but involve any other teacher that might be interested. Involve the parents sure but texting them it’s not something I would do I get 40 texts a day “all for my youngest daughter” 10 texts a day for me. I don’t need more things to do in a day I’m a busy enough. Starting of small is good surveys projects at home them move on to bigger assignments from school. In my gym I could have them text when they do activities at home (exercise/play outside/competitions and more. BUT I don’t needs students texting me all the time. I do use my phone to communicate with my Tennis teams, I text them daily with updates on practice and matches, it’s quick, easy and an effecint way to get a message out to many people at one time. I see the phone as a social tool more than a learning tool but, I am open to new ideas.
I think literacy is a point of view, and that perspective is changing. The battle of grammar/spelling vs time is real and like it or not, cellphonites have developed their own syntax.
I am not against proper use of cellphones in the class, but I don’t know if our students are mature enough. I like the article on the rules for establishing phones in the class and I will share with teachers. I think it will take more work to train teachers, than to train students.
I think that if you sell something to staff like you were buying the class clickers, they would be happy. If you then told them the students were buying their own clickers, they would think we were being wise with the school money and still be happy. Getting some people to realize and accept that the clickers are their phones; that we be the problem and triumph.
So I think I will need to start a staff meeting with a poll to demo.
I understand that the text language is going to happen. My concern is the fact that many students can't differentiate when and when NOT to use the slang. I believe there are many students who don't even realize that "CU2morrow" is actually "see you tomorrow".
As far as cell phone use in the classroom, my first reaction after reading all the great ways they can be useful tools is to say "YES! Allow them!" but as I start to think about my responsiblity as a teacher, I begin to see a lot of major issues that can result from allowing cell phone use. I would have to watch more closely for cheating, cyber bullying, inappropiate pictures, video's being recorded,etc. I think that having a small classroom would be easier to enforce the rules but in a classroom of 32 students I don't know if I want one more thing to "control" and deal with. It is funny because I currently have allowed students to get them out BUT that is because they know it is a special treat so they are more willing to cooperate. I don't know if they would behave the same way if the phones were always allowed in the school.
I think that literacy in texting defeats the prupose of the text. A text is a shortcut way to communicate like shorthand in writing. I believe if you are sending an email or writing a paper literacy matters.
I think cell phone use in the classroom makes sense. I agree with the author that it must be taught and monitored. Do we really need parental permission? I have already started using it. Am I breaking a district rule by doing so? I have used it to poll and as a search tool. In one class I did get some negative comments. When given a poll, someone thought the project we did was stupid, so if we want their opinions that is a valid one.
Cell phone use in the classroom? Well, it's just a matter of time that it becomes the norm. The biggest hurtle is to train "the natives". If we look upon it as the glass is half full, the positives will outweigh the negatives in the academic setting. I have rewritten my comments 3 times, but I keep losing them when I try to post. So this post, if it goes through is not all I have to say, but it's late; I'm tired, and I don't feel well, so it will have to be enough. As a perfectionist, publishing this incomplete comment is a step in the right direction, I think.
Although I'm up for the challenge, I completely agree with Lori. Cell phone use in class would really take some extra planning and monitoring so that students don't abuse the privelege. I really enjoyed the Innovative Educator blog post--even got a few cool ideas to possibly use next trimester when I teach Shakespeare's Caesar. But someone also posted some good comments on that blog: What about kids/parents who don't have mobile devices (imagine that!!), and what about the crummy reception in some schools (ours)? Finally, I have one other humorous anecdote that fits in perfectly with this argument: My student teacher just told me yesterday of a Facebook page devoted to teachers' "butts." Kids take pictures with cells when their teachers turn their backs and then post the photos. I haven't seen this page and don't know if it actually exists, but that's certainly a potential drawback for me on the cell phone/no cell phone debate!!
LOL! Facebook page of teacher's butts, this is just the beginning of what can, does and will happen with cell phones. Are we ready for this? I guess it is good to be aware of these things and to keep learning not only the positive uses of how to use cell phones in the classrooms but how to manage and set rules for using them.
OMG! Butts today. What tomorrow? It looks like having top-skills in classroom management will be an absolute necessity for all teachers in this savy tech classroom.
@ Pam...it doesn't matter whether we are condoning or banning cell phones in schools, kids are and will use them anyway. If we don't give them constructive purposes to use them...they will find other not so constructive ways to use them. This is a battle that we will not win.
You are right Lori that teaching kids the value of cell phones and setting up parameters and expectations of use will be the best, most productive use of our time. Other schools are figuring it out and lifting bans with success...we need to take a look at what those places are doing right and follow their lead.
@pamela...you're post came through...sorry you had trouble. One thing I always do if I write a longer post or have had trouble posting is to right click and copy what I've written prior to submitting it...so that if something goes awry...I haven't lost everything...I just right click and paste and try again. Capturing what you've written on your clipboard first will give you some peace of mind and eliminate the time to try to reconstruct what you wrote and lost.
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