Let's start with....I don't have a smart phone and my 5th grade daughter thinks we are insane because we won't let her get a cell phone. Keep in mind where we live we don't have cell signal (welcome to country life).
And ironically, the same day we received this assignment a letter came home from the school saying that cell phones were banned and they were going to start enforcing it. Apparently, students were hiding them in their socks and up their sleeves and texting each other. I resisted e-mailing this assignment to the principal but I must admit I gave it serious thought :)
I can see where smart phones could be used in the classroom and I personally, did use the web on my phone just yesterday when I couldn't remember where in Liberty my daughter's dance competition was being held. (That is going to cost me)
Our school did invest in netbooks just this year and the one teacher is going great bonkers on using Google Apps. The kid's are loving it! They are collaborating on projects and I think it is great to her my daughter say, "All I need to do is "Share" my document with Mrs. Hall and I am done with my homework."
With that being said...we had someone give my daughter a netbook for Christmas and like myself they are a little clueless as to what to look for when it comes to hardware. It was a bust, you can't do anything with it. She can't look at her google e-mail or do homework etc. I think the only thing you could do is look at Facebook....which she is mad because she doesn't have an account with them either :) She is 10.
So, I do think using technology is great in the classroom and there are many options with cell phones, netbooks, kindles, nooks, etc. It is critical that you make sure you can get service and have quality hardware. Otherwise, it is just going to leave the students frustrated.
Apps that either my daughter has used or I think would be fun:
Google Doc
Zoho Challenge
Survey Monkey
Fluent News Reader--haven't used but looks cool for a History or Current Events class.
I believe as technology demands increase, we will get more wifi access and then our devices will work better. I was so excited that Kansas City, KS was selected for Google's high speed trial network.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the internet was accessed on the Mac with a application called TurboGopher and at the time it was a network of college libraries and to see its impact today is remarkable. Before long, it will be a necessity and not really an option. I have read that there are already plans to have wifi in all low income housing and so many apartment complexes include wifi in their packages. Now practically every restaurant has wifi, even if you just park in a McDonald's lot, you can usually access the internet.
The only way my daughters school is able to afford iPads and Smartboards is because the district invested in wireless technology. That's what rural areas REALLY need in able to keep up with everyone. I'm going to look up that Fluent News reader, I love history! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteRural districts are getting hit the hardest by the downturn in the economy. Don't expect them to invest in more technology for their students; right now, they are facing the very real threat of consolidation with other school districts. I believe Skype is going to be used in rural areas to save districts money and allow them to consolidate classes. That is going to be crazy.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI didn't give my kids cell phones until they were in 8th grade. At that time they were staying after school for track and theater and doing more with friends like the occasional movie.
KCK getting the google high speed is exciting but what I would like to see is wireless communities. Anywhere you went in a town you would be able to access wifi. That would help out the lower income students so much.
The husband and I were talking about when to give Emma a phone. It seems to get younger and younger!! BUT, I don't think she'll get one until at least middle school. That's maybe. She has an iPod now and it's got Skype installed on it and a text message app. She only uses it with family. The text message app uses a US number which makes it way cheaper for families saying hi to her than calling. She has email on it too but she's such a lazy emailer.
ReplyDelete