Thursday, June 3, 2010
Required Post for Week of 6/7: Cell Phones and Schools: Can you hear me now?
I read FastCompany magazine and saw this article about cell phones (Cellphonometry) in an issue. (BTW, if you like tech, design and staying ahead of the curve-get this magazine-it's cheap too.) While there are loads of stuff out there about cell phones in schools, this one has a NC link. What do you think about the use of cells in classes? What are some barriers? Where do we start? Is there an age/grade limit? Other thoughts? I can assure you that its coming whether we are prepared or not.
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36 comments:
Wow. I like the idea of using phones as a tool, but maybe not complete immersion. I teach 6th grade math and I know my kids would love it, but I can see the barriers right off the bat. First, training for teachers. When, and how much, and follow-up: the same issues we are facing now with any new technology introduced. I was instrumental in writing a grant this year for 70 ipod touches for our school. Guess what, only about 4 teachers use them on a regular basis and we have had no training as a staff. I use them (as a tool for isolated lessons), but for the most part, they collect dust in the media center. Next, misuse. I think of chewing gum (I know, I’m weird). It’s against the rules, but they still stick it under the desks. If we allowed gum, wouldn’t they still stick it under the desk? Give them a phone, and they’ll find a way to use it for evil. Maybe not with some age groups, but I can definitely see this as an obstacle in middle school.
I feel like a devil’s advocate here, especially considering my support for technology in schools. Honestly, I know I could make cell phones an invaluable tool for the classroom and curriculum, but I do not have that confidence in some of my colleagues.
I loved the comment in the article stating that Qualcomm “may launch further research into curricula for mobile devices and graduate-level tech training for teachers.” This is a step in the right direction. It must begin with us in a systematic, well-thought-out manner.
There were several points in this article I thought were right on. First, the article quoted a student as saying that the kids were actually teaching their classmates. That is a fundamental example of mastery. If a kid can teach a concept to another kid, he has mastered that concept.
I liked how these cellphones were able to "engage reluctant learners". Of course student engagement is of utmost importance in the classroom and these cellphones are doing just that. These kids are having a great time learning. Imagine that!
The data given about proficiency level improvements at this school says so much about the success of this program. Like the student said, the proof is in the numbers.
I do not know enough about it to really discuss it intelligently, but we have a 2nd grade teacher at our school who is a tech wizard and he is using iPod Touches in his classroom. As a matter of fact, the local newspaper sent a reporter yesterday to do an article on his use of this technology (so maybe I'll be able to speak more about this after I've read the article!) Hopefully, there will be enough positive feedback and student success to spread the wealth with these devices.
Like Lane said, this stuff is coming, whether we are ready or not. I say let's do what it takes as administrators to be ready and make sure our schools are as well.
This article really hit home for me. As a parent of a now eleventh grader who has convinced herself that she “can’t do math,” I have struggled with how to motivate her to regain confidence in her math ability. From an early age she was not the child who wanted to sit in a classroom and do problem after problem to reinforce a skill. This was boring to her therefore careless mistakes started happening which soon turned into a mindset for her that math was too hard to do. She became turned off from math and began missing fundamental concepts. This has naturally continued to cause problems for her even today in more advance math classes. She, however, is a child who is glued to her cell phone and wanting to always be connected. After reading this article I immediately went to her and said, “How would you like to learn math on a blackberry?” she said, “Are you serious? Can I really do that?” She, like the girl in the article, is not a traditional learner, so why do we have to stick with tradition to teach? Children today need skills for today to stay motivated.
Having said this, I still believe we have to teach a certain amount of “tradition” but once again it is all about balance and building for the 21st century. We have to stay current and teach individuals and not teach “school.” We also have to make sure our staff is motivated for this type of teaching/learning. In order for this idea to work teachers have to get on board, so professional development is a must. Therefore, money has to be poured into our technology department so these things can start to occur.
I also know technology safety is a concern with this type of education, so once again, we have to keep professional development at an all time high.
This was a great article.
Claudia, What a cool story! You are completely correct! I think students need things like this to spark their excitement about learning and all. It's almost like when they are at school they are not in their version of the real world using cell phones (in most cases). And they love them, so why not use them as a tool?
Of course there will be problems, just like with anything else...kids are going to be kids...but we spend so much time banning cell phones at school the kids want to push the limits because they "can't" have them. If they make it all day with their cell phone in their book bag and can show their friends, they've broken the law, which they like (generally speaking, of course). So, maybe they would be less of a problem if we are using them in the classroom anyway...
Training the teachers, yes Al, is another problem. (Congrats on your grant for the iPod touches, btw) It's difficult to find time and money and energy sometimes to do these things, but I think it would help in the long run.
Al,
Like you, I initially felt hesitant about all of the "evil" the kids could think to do with a cell phone, primarily, in the realm of sneaky texting. But then, I thought, students have been using paper and pencil to write notes ever since the educational system started using paper and pencils. A note written on paper can be ripped up and destroyed, leaving no evidence. However, aren't texts stored in the memory chip? If students learn that text messages can be retrieved, maybe that would hinder them from sending text messages? Maybe.
This is truly an interesting approach of keeping students interested in math. I carry around my blackberry and use it for a lot of things, but have barely touched its actual potential. Phones today are as fast and powerful as the computers that we are using. It is amazing how many applications you can find to download on your phone that will practically tell you how to do anything. I use the calculator on my phone quite often, as well as countless other apps.
Using them as a teaching tool is a wonderful idea, but one just like all others that has to be done carefully and by teachers who are willing. There is no doubt that those phones were able to do wonderful things, but you have to remember the restrictions and security measures those phones would have in place. When teachers can see what is being sent backward and forward, and can see what is being recorded it takes away a lot of the problematic angles of using the phones. A pilot project like this is wonderful but unfortunately there not going to be widespread. Teachers however, can incorporate these types of lessons into their classes and allow for some flexiblity to explore and learn with technology. Presenting videos and allowing students to teach each other through collaboration is exactly what we want our teachers doing.
This reminds me of the website that Dr. Buckner told us of last semester. http://www.khanacademy.org/
This site has hundreds of videos giving instruction on math and various other topics. Although this is not as advanced as the students all using smart phones to figure out equations, it is another method of immersing our students in technology. I gave this site to a teacher who teachers Algebra Concepts at our school, a prerequisite to Algebra 1 for students who struggle with math. He told me that after he gave it to his students and their parents after a couple of weeks he heard back from a couple sets of parents who were exceptionally excited. They couldn't help their students at home with their math homework either, but through watching the videos over and over they learned with their kids. It really seemed to help them out.
There is no doubt that when students are really engaged they are able to learn and apply knowledge at a much greater rate. I don't think cell phones will become the miracle cure, but they are something that our students already have. If we can find ways to take advantage of this technology and improve our students understanding in math it is certainly worth a shot. We would just have to find willing teachers, who can do what those in the article did, which is find ways to truly engaged their students in the concepts they are teaching.
Betsy-
Great point about the paper & pencil method of passing notes that has been in existence as long as education itself! This article mentioned the safeguards put in place to monitor usage.
And Thomas is exactly right about the potential of smart phones...I am sure the students could teach us so much.
Starting with only a few willing teachers at a time, just like it is being done now, is the way to go. When the more resistant teachers see what is happening in the classrooms of the more innovative ones, they will want to jump right on that bandwagon.
Claudia made such a good point when she said that her daughter has the "I can't do math" mindset and how this technology, which she CAN do (believe me...I know Claudia's daughter) could be the bridge for her in math. I am sure that would be the case for loads of students.
Al, I think you have to play "devil's advocate." In order for a new concept to be successful you have to look at all angles to make sure you know your game as much as possible. And you are right about colleagues not being successful with this approach of teaching. However, I think if the process was implemented slowly and as a piolt program then good things would start to happen for everyone ultimately creating student success.
This is an interesting topic. I can can see both sides of it. I was amazed that the results of project K-Nect was 100% passing with the students using cell phones. My main concern would be how effective this would be in a regular day to day school situation. In a experiment like this I wonder if the outcome is sustainable or does it taper off after the novelty of the students being able the use cell phones in class wears off. I also wonder how you regulate and control cell phone usage during the school day and if it would be to much of a distraction. I like the fact that teachers can use Mobi control to monitor students use of the cell phones and know if they are getting of topic.
I think in a small controlled setting this could possibly be effective but in a regular school setting I can envision more problems arising from this than benefits.
Claudia, I agree with what you said about this program having to be implemented slowly into the classroom.I just imagine all of the postives and negatives that could come out of this.If it was started to quickly without much structure or or schoolwide understanding of compliance of usage by school staff and students, it could be like opening a pandoras box. I think it is a great idea to start it as a pilot program and see what the results are and taking it from there.
Yes, Reed I think if you get one classroom trained and using it successfully, you would be able to use your teacher "leader" to help train others. If it works in one room and teachers see it with their own eyes I think they would definitely have more buy in and the more resistant teachers may be more open to the idea. That's what happened with SMARTboards in our school...my principal put them in the music and art room (lucky for me) and then once all the kids talked about them and the teachers saw what we were doing they all wanted one!
I decided to ask the experts for their opinions on cell phone use in math class. Thus, on Friday I presented the "Cellphonometry" article to my students and asked for their comments. (Boy, this was the most excited they have been all year about whole class discussions!)
A brief summary of our conversation:
One-third of the students said why not use cell phones in classes, but the other two-thirds said that they wanted more information on these "smart phones."
What could a cell phone do for them that a graphing calculator could not do? And since we already had graphing calculators, they thought that money would be spent more wisely it the school system invested in more lap tops for students to use at school. They came to the conclusion that lap tops provide students with more options for learning.
When I asked them about barriers, they honestly replied that they would be too inticed to send text messages if they were given cell phones to use in class.
I pointed out that they could video tape the teacher solving a probelm so they could review at home. They laughed and said, no eighth grader wanted to watch their teacher at home.
I believe hand held devices have a place in schools but we are in the developmental stages of deciding their power as a teaching tool.
Thomas,
I just visited that khan academy website. I remember it now. What a good tool to use. I just saved it to my favorites. I had forgotten all about it. What gets me is that students can learn a concept better from following a guy on the computer do the same thing as I do on the board or overhead. I think it is amazing how much technology keeps kids engaged compared to traditional methods of teaching. Would we be as starved for engagement as they are today if we had all those cool gadgets? Phones may be the answer to their cravings until something else comes out.
Yes! Let them have phones! Well............ My first reaction to phones in the classroom is yes. I mean lets be honest they already have them and some of them are using them in class. That is my first reaction. My second reaction is just the other way. I loved Betsy's post because she mentions the positive effect of taping a teacher. The thing is there is also a great danger in this. Lets all be honest with ourselves the thought of some teachers being recorded is scary and that is when they know they are being recorded. In the past two years I have been involved in two situations where a teacher was being recorded and lets just say they were not on their A game. In fact, in one situation the teacher was baited into a yelling match. Just food for thought. I am all for phones but there is a trade off. Also, I have a question about privacy and phones. Does anyone know if there is a court case involving searching a phone? Currently our school looks at the phone like a locker. If we have reason to believe we need to search it we do.
Project K-Neck is an awesome program. Are all students mature enough to handle the use of cell phones as a part of the school curriculum? I truly disagree. Currently, at my school we have a no cell phone/technology policy. Teachers are constantly confiscating technology devices from our students. The students are aware of the policies and they continue to bring these items to school. When cell phones are confiscated from the students in my class it’s because they are texting, listening to music, looking at videos, and on face book. I haven’t found a student to use the technology towards the curriculum unless they were calculating their grades. The barriers to cell phones include cheating and conflict among the students/parents/teachers. The use of the cell phones in school start at home. Ultimately, it’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure their children are responsible to have their own cell phone. Some high school students are responsible enough to carry a cell phone. It’s overwhelming to see elementary students with a cell phone. They barely know how to tie shoes, count or recognize letters but they know how to use a cell phone. I blame the parents for giving elementary students cell phones. I believe education is advancing to the use of cell phones in education. As educators, we have to be ready to handle and tackle this challenge. I agree with Heidi Glidden, an assistant director of educational issues for the American Federation of Teachers. Figuring out whether and how it makes sense to use phones in the classroom, she adds, "is going to be a learning process, and it's going to be a little muddy at times." As a future administrator I have to prepare myself for this challenge.
Yes, Reed I agree with you. In a small controlled setting the use of this technology may be effective. The Mobi control is an awesome incentive to this program also. There are still glitches to solve. For example, in our school the students are prohibited to use certain sites but they find proxy’s to use to access face book. The students are going to discovers unique ways to maneuver the flaws to do what they want to do.
Thomas thanks for reminding me of the website from Dr. Buckner's class.
Al,
I don't think you are necessarily playing devil's advocate. I know you are a pretty tech savvy guy, and that you use technology to teach, but you would be outside the norm. Your remarks are probably realistic for a great deal of the teaching population, so not the devil's advocate but the mind set of the majority of teachers. I think that a lot of teachers start to think of the reasons something will fail before they give it the fair chance to succeed.
Betsy,
Your classes comments are as real as it gets. They gave their honest opinions. Facts are that it appears their curiosity was at least sparked by the idea. This is something that could potentially get them engaged. That concept is a great starting point, and proves that even discussion of using technology in class can get them to sit up in their seats. Let's you know that there are obviously some class rooms out there where this doesn't seem to be an option for them.
It's like we all have said, everything that we can use to engage the students we need to make an effort to use. This is especially true of technology. As educational leaders it will be our job to find the time, money, and resources to get our staff trained and make sure they are implementing these strategies.
Cell phones, cell phones. Times have certainly changed. I remember graduating from high school and my parents purchased a phone in a bag from Sprint. My friends thought my parents were the coolest.
As we have come to this point, we must acknowledge the way that technology has changed our lives. Our kids don't even know how to write a grammatically correct English paper because they have become accustomed to texting language.
We must adapt to change. As Dr. Mills mentioned, even if we don't want to, or are not ready, it is coming. Our students are so immersed in technology, it's become a part of their daily lives.
As far as the classroom is concerned, I definitely think we have to approach learning in a different way. If it's going to help them learn - WHY NOT? I think the reason there's so much hysteria behind certain new age ideas is fear. People are afraid of the unknown. Instead of us being afraid, why not take our fears head on?
Smart phones, obviously, can be used in Math and other disciplines. I was working in Onslow County at the time of its usage, and remember they hysteria. Not all teachers were willing to embrace this new age tech usage. However, once they were able to see the success first hand, their attitudes changed.
Reed...
I think it's just like anything else. Teaching styles / techniques have to constantly evolve. A teacher who still writes on the chalkboard and talks with her back facing the class will not be as effective as the one who APPROPRIATELY uses a smartboard. With cell phones, yes the interest may wear off, however, new things will come. We can barely keep up with Apple's genius ideas. Just imagine what new technologies will be available for our students in 3 years. Wake Forest University is now developing a science video game for students in middle school.
T. Holland,
Thanks. It was a fun class discussion, especiall, since technology is a topic on which all students have knowledge and an opinion.
Today was a EOG retest and a EOC day for my school. As such I got the duty of containing 40 students in a room for six hours. Needless to say I did not enforce the schools technology policy. Instead I allowed the students to use them and I just watched and took some notes. The first thing that I noticed was that they all had the ability to not only operate their own phones but also their neighbors. The second thing that I noticed was that about 15 or 20 percent of students didn't break concentration. In fact you could say that they were addicted. I wonder if we let these phones in are we some how creating a situation for some students that could be detrimental? I know this seems a bit far fetched, however, these kids almost didn't blink.
To me, this article got right to the heart of the tricks of educating kids today. You have to tap into their interests - and as Claudia's daughter so well represents, smart phones are right up there at the top.
I recently observed the 2nd grade teacher that Claudia/Connie referred to while he was using Interwrite boards and ipods. The kids were purely eating sugar out of his hands because he had the management system worked out to a "T." With the Interwrite boards, the kids were working on using correct word endings in sentences and used the board to fill in the blanks with the appropriate words. I was amazed out how skilled they were at writing b/c you have to be angled just so. They were incredibly patient and respectful of each other. You could've heard a pin drop! With the ipods, he had kids reading in pairs and recording their reading while alternating pages. They were working on voice inflection while reading. He said they had recently used an application he had downloaded to do research on the 50 states.
I think allowing children the use of technology such as phones, ipods, etc. provides us, the dinosaurs, with the avenues to reach kids and ignite the spark that has faded. But, as I saw in the classroom, you must have an understanding yourself of how to use the equipment appropriately with the agegroup you're working with and a system for management. It's just a different kind of respect that has to be taught and expectations held high.
Connie, I too agree with you about the fundamentals of insuring that learning has taken place. Videoing kids teaching the concept is just another trick of the times to motivate kids to learn. What an easy method to implement!
Claudia, seeing as how my dad teaches your daughter math, I'll encourage him to try a little phone math in the classroom as a motivator. I know he uses the Smartboard at various times (I'm sure not enough) and has also utilizes the website that Thomas reminded us of.
It's all about utilizing different methods and modes that get us to the same end product - educated, skilled graduates ready for furthering their education or the workforce.
Randy,
The past two weeks, have been long. I have been trapped for six hours a day with out a break. Tough! I am impressed that you let them beak out the electronics.
Thanks Juilana! Phone math would be wonderful!
I say- break out the cell phones! They all have one! If they don't their parents do. Almost no excuse now for not being able to access the web because of the technology of cell phones. Blog post for homework anyone? lol. Courtney, you mentioned about how the kids were going to use them one way or another. Amen to that! We tell them they can't do something, that's the first thing on their list of things to accomplish, not listening to you teach. Instead, they will brag about how they were texting during your lesson to their friends at lunch. Al, I am sad to hear that you have 70 ipod touches collecting dust, I will take about 30 of them off your hands-lol. Teachers (and administrators)have got to get with the program! Tapping into what students are interested in is about the only way we can make them successful. The culture of school's has changed so dramatically, even in the last year or two, that technology must be a tool available to all students- what better way and they are pretty cheap when you purchase with a contract. I know there are kinks, but until you try- you will never know. Bubble gum, probably not, but trying to sneak off with one- oh yeah. Professional development- I can only say one thing about this. If there are people in your building using technology (whatever it may be- Smartboards, ipod touches, etc)then theirs your answer. Set it up as part of a staff meeting. Teachers will not have a choice but to listen and of course those that are interested will more than likely take off with it! And yes, there are always going to be "those" who think they teach just fine from a textbook, but as an administrator it's our jobs to see to it that it changes. Know your teachers and know those willing to take on the task.
Sorry about the incorrect grammar guys. It's late, I'm exhausted and I have another day of testing ahead of me. I don't even need the administrator's manual any more- I know it by heart! Round 3!! Yippee!!!
After much thought I think the phone is like any other instructional tool. I is only as good as the instructor.
Randy,
You said it perfectly. It doesn't matter what type of technology you have available if your teachers can't effectively use it. Technology is a fundamental part of edcucation these days, but it can never fully replace a teacher's role in the lives of students. Everyone will need someone to guide them effectivelly and assist them along the way, and teachers need to fill that role.
Just thought I might share this with you:
I guess as a warning. Technology is not only a tool to use in the classroom but also can pin teachers in some pretty terrible positions.
Teachers career plans derailed because of myspace
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4791295&page=1
Teacher beats student in class!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szlsu2yp-h0
You know students can video, take pictures, use the internet, etc. from cell phones right?
I believe they are a great tool, but as someone said we can't just throw them to the "tech wolves"- they could bite us back!
Reed, your comment about "a small controlled setting this could possibly be effective but in a regular school setting I can envision more problems arising from this than benefits."
As I dig deeper, you couldn't be more right!!!
The youtube video only happened a month ago, some may remember seeing it on the news!!
I agree that the use of cell phones in the classroom is something that is inevitable. It is an inexpensive tool that can be used in so many ways. I have a sixth grade son who complains almost all the time about policies that prohibit them at his school. Many of his friends take them to school anyway. If the kids are going to be bringing them, why not use them to enhance instruction. The article talked about how the use of the cell phones really engaged those students who might otherwise not be engaged in class. Aren’t we constantly looking for ways to engage our students? It seems to me we have one staring us right in the face.
Randy,
I too would be interested to know if there is a court case involving searching cell phones that belong to students. If teachers do begin to use them more in the classroom, there are inevitably going to be issues to deal with. I t would be good to know how some of the schools using them now for instruction are handling possible misconduct issues.
Rachel, The school I work at does not allow cell phones and if we see them we take them, first time they are seized and a parent can pick it at the end of the day. The second time the phones are taken and we hold them till the end of the semester. Students still are able you sneak them in and even with just a few cell phones they can cause chaos. Two recent expiences involving students with cell phones at or school is a student kept calling bogus 911 calls from the bathroom and causing a major disruption and a student called and had a bunch of pizzas delievered to the school. Students with phones will also constantly try to take pictures or videos from inside the school while class is in session.
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