How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools
Does your staff need Educational Technology training? The K-12 Teachers Alliance can help you plan your in-service professional development at no additional cost. Regardless of your school’s cell phone policy, the reality in most schools is that students have phones in their pockets, purses, or hoodies. Why not get these tools out in plain sight and use them for good and not evil? Here are some easy to use strategies to use cell phones in the classrooms. Proven teaching strategies to boost your students' happiness. A few suggestions.on classroom activities that involve performance for... We point out some knowledgeable educators who quickly can become your trusted... Here are a few suggestions on how to motivate students intrinsically. Reasons why a class may be less likely to pipe up and interact during a lesson... Why Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools Cell phones are different from a computer lab filled with computers or a cart of netbooks because the cell phone is personal technology.
How Texting and IMing Helps Introverted Teens
There is plenty of grumbling about how social media — texting in particular — may be harming children’s social and intellectual development. But a new study suggests that constant IM’ing and texting among teens may also provide benefits, particularly for those who are introverted. Israeli researchers studied instant messages exchanged by 231 teens, aged 14 to 18. The researchers analyzed 150 conversations in the study, and reported the results in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. “Our findings suggest that IM’ing between distressed adolescents and their peers may provide emotional relief and consequently contribute to [their] well-being,” the authors write, noting that prior research has shown that people assigned to talk to a stranger either in real life or online improved their mood in both settings, but even more with IM. (MORE: Does the Internet Really Make Everyone Crazy?) Why would digital communication trump human contact? (MORE: Why Gadgets Are Great for Introverts)
Mobile phones in the classroom: teachers share their tips | Teacher Network
Jo Debens, geography teacher, Priory School, Portsmouth The geography department at my school has been leading the use of mobile device in learning. Throughout last year the mobile@priory charter was created and led by head of department David Rogers and co-constructed by students to enable them to use mobile devices in learning. Some of the examples of where we use mobile devices range from simply taking photos and videos to share in class or recording homework, to creating revision podcasts or animations. On fieldwork, students can record images, video, sound, take notes, use GPS technology and mapping software to record information essential to their coursework. One activity sees students investigating secret places in school - they have to find a space, and find evidence or clues about that space to share with others. The benefit for us as teachers is the personalisation, and the freedom for students to access resources. Carol Rainbow, retired ICT teacher/ICT adviser
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Cellphones in the Classroom: Distraction or Tool?
The final version of the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) was released last week, setting forth the Obama Administration's plan for improving access to and integration of technologies for teaching and learning. Among the recommendations the Department of Education makes in the NETP is a call for support for "efforts to ensure that all students and educators have 24/7 access to the Internet via devices, including mobile devices, and that states, districts, and schools adopt technologies and policies to enable leveraging the technology that students already have." The push for "24/7 access to the Internet" falls under another the auspices of yet another endeavor, the National Broadband Plan. This series on Education Technology is underwritten by Dell. Cellphones: Teens' Primary Communication and Computing Device, Banned from Most Schools More than 75% of those between the ages of 12-17 own cellphones. Why We Should Allow Cellphones in the Classroom Photo by minasi
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A Mobile Dilemma
About three years ago, while I was teaching education at a local college, I was attempting to do an observation of one of my students at her student teaching assignment. It was my first time visiting that high school, so I found myself running late in traffic. I attempted to call my student on her cellphone to let her know that I might be a little late, but she never answered. I texted her, but she never responded. As I entered the high school lobby I found a structure inside that resembled Dr. I believe that was also the year that a New Jersey middle school principal grabbed national attention as he not only banned all cellphones in his school, but also urged all parents to deny their children access to social media, because he felt it was unnecessary. A Critical 21st Century Skill Now here we are in the year 2014, and things seem to be changing for many schools. It would seem that the smartphone is finally getting its due as a computer with telephonic capabilities.
The 50 Free Apps We're Most Thankful For
How to find apps: The Great App Checklist
Last summer at the Apple developer conference, WWDC, we learned that there were more than 1.2 million apps in the Apple App Store alone. That's a lot of choices. In a sea that large, understanding how to find apps for the classroom can be challenging. In speaking with numerous educators, we learned that most app downloads result from a colleague's recommendation (i.e., word of mouth) or from choosing the first app in the search results. The Great App Checklist, go.sas.com/MobileLearning. We offer this checklist to help educators zero in on the app they need and to judge how well it performs key functions. Our checklist is the result of a meta-analysis, based on several popular app checklists, as well as our own contributions, completed through research and extensive conversations with educators. Be sure to let us know what you think of the checklist and how it might evolve as mobile learning continues to change.
25 Fun Ways to use QR Codes for Teaching and Learning
I've culled a bunch of ideas from different teachers who have shared their approaches to using this simple but powerful construct in the classroom. Once your students are equipped with a device that can read QR codes and they know how to scan them, you're ready to use ideas like these in your classroom! If you're not already familiar with it, scroll down to the bottom of the article to learn how to easily create QR codes, and find QR Code readers. Ideas, Ideas, and More Ideas! The article, Ways to use QR Codes in the Elementary Classroom and Using Google Docs to Create Them, by Jill Thompson, offers these uses: Library Book Add-On: Put QR codes on classroom library books, linking out to information about the author and or book. These ideas come from the web page QR Codes – What are they and how can I use them in my classroom? Assistive Technology: “Provide an alternative access format for students who need additional support in reading and writing.” Creating and Reading QR Codes
