Simple Cell uses for schools

Cell phone security in school.  What might kids do with them...maybe sext, possibly bully or maybe none of those things.  So lets step back  and use them in the simplest ways that we can.  The teachers that are afraid the next Nightmare on Elm Street will be focused on Freddy using cell phones, this is a great first step to get them onboard.  School boards and districts can save money and open doors to change by starting here.

What does your school spend on student planners?  Most schools provide some sort of organizer for students.  Cost is estimated @ $3-4 bucks a pop.  Money well spent?
I would argue a huge waste.  I have found so many planners over the years that I would like the cash for them, I am pretty sure that I could take a trip to Disneyland with the wasted cash.  Students are always coming in after school asking about missing planners, ahhhh never happens.

So where do cell phones fit in.   Students can easily add upcoming due dates, lunch menus, field trips, etc on their calendars on their phones and/or mp3 mobile device.  The calendar can be set to remind the students of the upcoming dates, can their planner do that?  The calendars can be synced with Google calendars which can be connected to parents.  Is that the type of teamwork we hope for?

Oh yes, and the best part is kids don't forget their cell phones and mobile devices. This is a great accountability tool.  Great way to re-emphasize personal responsibility for your education
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This is a great starting point to get teachers, administrators and community members to start to see possibilities.

Ipadio

 

Please watch and post any ideas and grade levels you think this could be used with.

Help from fellow educators.

Before I add the first tutorial I had to share a fellow bloogers post.

http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/cool-tools/

I was part of this group of students that wondered about my brain capabilities being wasted doing what a calculator could do.

Now we are here again, do we let them use the tools they have access to or reinvent the wheel.
If we let them run, what can the students of today do?

Our children are calling...

The inspiration for this blog came from my own children.  My one year old son was playing with my ipad, he quickly figured out how to move pages as well as get into the apps.  That very day I had dealt with numerous students at the high school that had "lost" their phones because of policy and teachers confiscating them.

 Why is education so slow to embrace new technology?  Why are teachers so hesitant to let student help us learn?

At the NSBA T & L Conference in Phoenix I saw a clip provided by Dr. Howie DiBlasi.  The clip; I need my teachers to learn, highlighted what I believe our children are saying. 

As an expert in mobile learning and 12 year veteran of the classroom I have decided to change the discussion from why, to creating logic and tutorials of how mobile devices and programs can be used in schools to better engage students. 


Any outside contributors of information will be greatly appreciated..

Our children are calling....