Cell phones in classrooms are a problem I have embraced. I recently wrote about text messaging in class on my website (education news – November 30th) and I have taken it one step further. At the beginning of each class, I have ALL students take out their phones and place them on the table, in front of them. Think about it, students cannot use them, if they are not in contact with them. I also feel I have enough classroom presence to see if a student grabs their phone and begins to use it. This action, along with giving them the opportunity to use www.chacha.com occasionally, has neutralized the cell phone problem in my classroom.
I read an article this week titled “Students Turn Their Cellphones on for Classroom Lessons” by Andrew Trotter, on the website, www.edweek.org . It basically mirrors my new philosophy regarding cell phones. Trotter writes that many teachers are coming up with innovative ways to use cell phones in class. There is also mention of a book by Liz Kolb titled “Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education”.
The article also showcases several methods teachers use to teach with cell phones.
The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/01/07/16cellphone.h28.html .
I believe the article is well worth reading and encourage everyone to start considering the untapped potential that is literally right at the tip of your student’s fingers. I will end with a quote from the piece by Ted A. Lysiak, the director of instructional technology for the Euclid, Ohio school district. He states, “In our district, we really feel students are bored with the instruction they are getting. It’s not that instruction has become boring, it’s that the outside world they interact with has become so engaging, but we haven’t kept up.”
Also don’t forget to check out the “idea of the week” at www.energizetheclassroom.com .
-Paul Richmond
E.T.C.
