In the article 10 Ways to Engage Students with Cellphones in the Classroom shows teachers how to get their students to participate while using their cellphones. Some suggestions include an online response system to questions using websites such as polleverywhere.com and incorporating vocabulary lessons by having students take pictures of an item that represents a vocabulary word. Another example provided is the ability to record for projects or lectures. This can be helpful for those who are impaired or have disabilities and work with their learning style. The article notes that a set parameter must be used in order to have boundaries on when cell phones can be used but argues that because children of this generation have not known a life where technology has not been available to them, that it would be in their best benefit if they were allowed to use technology that is familiar to them. I am skeptical of the efficiency of this tactic however I feel that a big factor is maturity and respect for boundaries and guidelines. I know in previous experience that it was nice to be able to use my phone in class in order to record lectures, take notes, or look up information. However, it would be very easy to get off task. I think that like most things, there is a set time and place to use the technology and that rules are definitely necessary to determine when is the appropriate time to use your device. I know that not everyone has a smart phone but in this case, teachers can have students work together in groups or even use other devices such as laptops or ipads or computers in order to utilize technology in the classroom.
LaPrairie, K. & Nickson, L.M. (2013). 10 ways to engage students with cellphones in the classroom. Learning & Leading with Technology,40(7), 36.
This was a wonderful critique of the article, and I have to say that I agree with many of the points that you made. As an older student, whose K-12 education did not include the internet or cell phones, it is hard to adapt at times to all the changes and opportunity out there. Having worked in a classroom, I have seen how hard it is for students to put their phones away. However, I am reluctant to think that allowing them to use their cell phones in class will alleviate the issues of students being disracted by their phones. There are plenty of opportunities to use cell phones outside of class, and therefore there is no need to incorporate them into the classroom. Instead, cell phones should be out of sight and out of mind, students need to learn to unplug and learn how to use technology appropriately. For students that can benifit from assistive technology there should be resources available that are tailored specifically to their need. Personally, I would have a very hard time justifying the use of cell phones in the classroom, and would prefer to use other tools available in order to avoid the inevitable distraction of texts, tweets, and other communication the students may receive while in class.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of using their cellphones for educational purposes. Working with younger children, I see a lot of them are getting their cellphones at a young age therefore making them use them as an education factor shows them that their cellphones should not only be used for fun and games. I agree with you that children can easily get distracted and use check their social media while they are using it for education. I also get easily distracted with technology, whenever i bring my laptop i dont always use it to take notes and to look up information, at times i get side track and check instagram and other social websites.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting article about cell phones in the classroom. Personally I don't think I would want my students to use their cell phones in class because they need to learn to not be so addicted to their phones! I know we're all guilty of this or maybe have been at one point. I just think it would be way to easy for them to get off track and check social media or other websites that aren't educational. I like the concept of it though I'm just uncertain about its success.
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