From Toy to Tool....Cell Phones in the Classroom

I recently came across an article by Marc Prensky "What Can You Learn From A Cell Phone?-Almost Anything!". He stated that one-and-one half billion people, all over the world, are walking around with powerful computers in their pockets and purses. The fact is they often don't realize it, because they call it something else. But today's high-end cell phones have the computing power of a mid-1990's PC (while consuming one one-hundredth of the energy). Even the simplest, voice-only phones have more complex and powerful chips than the 1969 on-board computer that landed a spaceship on the moon!

Today's young people are using their cell phones for communicating by voice, text, and increasingly, digital photographs and videos.

Like all communication and computing devices, cell phones, can be used to learn. So rather than fight the trend for kids to come to school carrying their own powerful learning devices - which they have already paid for! - why not use the opportunity to our advantage?

At this years NERIC Technology Awareness Day, a statement by our District Superintent struck me. He stated "students should not come to school and use less technology that they use on the bus on the way to school".

I came across a site that allows live audience responses, somewhat like voting on American Idol. POLLEVERYWHERE is a text message polling and live audience response system. It is simple enough for anyone to use and flexible enough for a wide range of scenarios to interact with audiences and collect data.

You can insert a poll within an existing PowerPoint and get real time answers from your students. You can also conveniently log into a web site to vote.

Sure, as with any type of technology, students need to be monitored.

We have not used this yet but plan to with several volunteer teachers. Stay tuned....

http://polleverywhere.com

The Social Media Revolution & FYI..Kids Don't Email

Its amazing how fast the world of Social Media moves!

• Over 50% of the world's population is under 30
• 96% of them have joined a social network
• Social Media is the #1 activity on the internet
• Facebook has overtaken Google for weekly internet traffic in the US

These are just some of the interesting statics about Social Media. Check out the video below to see more.

YouTube - Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh): ""

What is SKYPE?

Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service and, in some countries, to free-of-charge numbers, are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing. You will need a headset and a web cam. http://skype.com