TechConnect: Can Cell Phones Engage Classes of Learners
Cell phones are one of the most popular tech tools among students. However, many schools haven't fully embraced the engagement possibilities of cell phones in an "academic" or "formal learning" setting. In fact, most schools either allow students to bring cell phones on school grounds with no use during school hours, while others have a "no cell phones" ban enforced throughout their district.
Whether you agree or not with the effectiveness of this tool in learning communities, please consider the following questions and share your thoughts.
1. Do your child (student) have a cell phone? What's the appropriate age?
2. Should schools permit cell phones? Why or Why Not?
3. Will the registration of student cell phones with their individual schools be enough to convince administrators that this is a beneficial tool and powerful way to engage learners?
4. What can students really learn from texting their answers to their teachers during class?
5. Can teachers texting assignment reminders to their students increase completion rates?
6. Have you ever used a polling, response system at work, in a conference, or at school to get/give a quick response? How do you feel that K-12 school communities might be enhanced with this resource available to them?
7. When students use a voice recording feature on their cell phones, is it a violation of privacy or merely a way to help them with taking more accurate notes during class sessions for reflection and more thorough completion of assignments and test prep? Can this help with students collaborating on projects?
8. Is Text Speak (shortening the traditional English grammar to quickly send a message) hindering writing and reading skills or providing an opportunity to communicate about relevant topics while having fun?
We have conducted a lot of research on these questions and will share them in individual posts with resources that can be used both in the home and in schools to assist with this new tech revolution.
Share your thoughts and add to the future posts.
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P.O.W.E.R. Organization is a 501c3 organization that helps youth SEE, SAY, and DO Math! TechConnect features ongoing awareness about issues and resources surrounding technology in both formal and informal learning communities.
Visit our site powertheyouth.org/ to learn about the other powerful connections that we attempt to make in local communities and beyond. Send an email to info [at] powertheyouth [dot] org if you have a product or service we should check out or review.
Posted by Power Org Math at 10-29-2011 
Categories: School/Education, Tech Connections, Cell Phones/Mobile Engagement, students
Tags: families phones students teachers schools learning mobile technoology classroom poll everywhere text speak
Categories: School/Education, Tech Connections, Cell Phones/Mobile Engagement, students
Tags: families phones students teachers schools learning mobile technoology classroom poll everywhere text speak
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