Ebaby! Blog

So I have to report back on how well my new cellphone policy works. It is kind of amazing. I didn’t explicitly tell students that my policy changed, but I started encouraging them to use cellphones at different parts of class. After what happened in my last class, I am convinced that cellphones are an asset.

We have a big test coming up, but the students still have lives and jobs. So sometimes they have to miss class. Well, yesterday two of my most dedicated students missed class and I wanted to know what was going on and make sure they got the information. The solution came really quickly! A student took out his cellphone, texted the missing students, realized they were at work, and sent them pictures of the chalkboard. The missing students wrote back some questions about the things on the board. I was sold! Cellphones have the power to bring the classroom anywhere!

Now, imagine if I had a great classroom website. They could view that at work on their cellphones. But I am not there yet. Cellphones will have to do for now.

I have heard about cellphones in the classroom before. Actually, I hear teachers yell at students everyday about their cellphones. But cellphones can be a powerful tool. In an educational settings where technology is scarce, it might just be that every student has technology in his or her pocket– a cellphone.

So how can we take advantage of cellphones in the classroom?

In another blog post I found these ideas:

10 Ideas for Using Cell Phones in Education

1. Student response polling or pop quizzes (no need to invest in additional devices)
2. Use sms to find definitions, currency conversion, math equations, translation and more
3. Use as an internet browser to access endless information
4. Research
5. Read news articles and current events
6. Read books
7. Download and use education programs such as Google Maps and use as GPS
8. Use as a digital or video camera to accompany school projects, publishing, etc.
9. Educate students on appropriate and acceptable social use
10. Use the voice technology to share engaging lectures or lessons

I really love the idea of making movies using phones. It can be hard to get video cameras into class, but it may not be hard to find students that have the technology to make videos on their cellphones. Now, students can do video role-plays, create documentaries and more. They could share the videos in class or videos could easily be posted to your class website or  YouTube.

Another fun way to integrate cellphone technology into the classroom and also to build community and encourage students to ask for help is to implement the “Phone a Friend” option in class. Students can send one text message to the teacher during a take-home test or even an in-class exam. This can really help students from getting stuck. And it builds rapport. What a good way for your students to know that you are always there for them!

Just like everything in life, teachers need to see the positive side of things. It can be fun to think of ways to integrate cellphones into education. In truth, it might be really engaging and educational to make movies or text message the teacher. And it is our job to figure out how to make normal things, like cellphones, benefit the class.