Part of my discussion this week was inspired by my GAME Plan. When reading about project-based assessments and how to incorporate technology, Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) discussed web-based media. I began thinking about ways to use these, and came up with a pretty interesting way to make a current unit even better. The more I read and research the tools that are available, the easier it all seems.
As some people have said, it may take a long time before cell phones are allowed for use in schools, but I’ll probably be able to incorporate them into homework or project-based assignments. That is the only way I think I’ll have to modify the plan at this point. Technology is important to our superintendent and he actually did his doctoral thesis on the benefits of technology on math performance. So, it may be sooner rather than later that we will be able to incorporate more innovative methods into our classrooms.
I’ve learned that there are many types of ways to use different media in the classroom. It’s always important to remember that technology shouldn’t just be used to use it, but rather to enhance the learning if appropriate, which Dr. Ross (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009) reiterated this week in our video. I’ve been trying to find free programs that are easy to use (for the students and for me!) and have found a few which I will need to try out a few times before attempting to use it in class.
I have a few questions still regarding how people have used any of these types of technology using cell phones with their classes. I’m continuing to have a hard time finding many good uses of cell phones in the classroom, but I know they exist because the technology exists and those people in our videos are so good at it!! If anyone does anything like this, or if they know any other teachers who have been successful using it, please let me know! I’d love to hear more real stories about how it has been used. I find a lot of articles on using cell phones as calendars and digital assignment books, but I’m aiming much higher than that!
Sarah
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across
the Content Areas: Assessing Students Learning With Technology. Baltimore:
Author.
Sarah, I am in the same position on cell phones--not sure exactly how they can be really used yet. I just know that students can take advantage of a good thing and twisted into texting each other, taking inappropriate photos, etc. I want to be sure they are mature enough to handle using this form of technology in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that you found some programs you are going to use in your class. I am curious to know...which ones you are thinking of using?
Sarah and Marissa,
ReplyDeleteI have used the cell phone poll website as a "get to know the class" activity. I asked a question, for example, What do you enjoy doing most out of school? Then I would have four multiple choice answers where the students could answer. Your can do true or false as well. It was just a fun way to do an interest survey using technology. You also could use this website as a type of outcome feedback (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009) where they answer questions based on the content you are teaching. This would give you a percentage of how many students understand the concept and what skills you might have to re-teach. Just a thought!
Jessica Juhn
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteAnother great way to incoporate the use of cellphones in the classroom is to have open-ended response. This week's resource video discussed how open-ended format encourages students to use higher order thinking skills (Laureate, 2009). The students can text their responses to a cellphone poll website, such as the one Jessica spoke of to share with others. Open-ended questions "demonstrate creative and original thoughts and ideas" (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, p. 145). Not only will this format open the students' minds to a higher order of thinking, but they are allowed to do something they enjoy: TEXTING!!
Reference:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across
the Content Areas: Assessing Students Learning With Technology. Baltimore:
Author.
Sarah -
ReplyDeleteDepending on your content, you could use cell phones to have a scavenger hunt. A lot of cell phones have cameras and you can have your students take pictures of things from a specific list. They don't have to send them, they can just save them, show you, and delete. I would consider doing this with my students because I can trust them to walk around our school building without getting in trouble. If your students aren't that trustworthy, perhaps you could do it in your classroom or in your hallway. Our students use cell phones for project-based learning when its necessary. For example, they had to do volunteer work and needed to arrange it. They were allowed to call during the class to set up volunteer hours. I think cell phones could be quite useful but I also understand why they are discouraged. I'm curious to see how your lessons go!
Becky Armstrong
Thanks for the great ideas, everyone! I love the texting responses concept. Kids are so good at it and it's a natural thing for them. Maybe they'd be more willing to write a response that way, rather than sitting at a computer. Sometimes they are overwhelmed by that and don't konw where to start! Having a scavenger hunt and using texting as a way to check for understanding quickly can be really helpful for the students!
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteThere are some great ideas here on how to use the cell phone in class. This is something I too have been pondering how to do in my Spanish classes with no luck. Please share what programs you have found to use with your students if you can. I would love to see what I could use from them too. I think this is a topic that is very new for educators and difficult to have the district support the use of cell phones in school but someone has to pioneer this movement...why not you? (or me?) LOL
Rodrigo Encina