This article is a very good read and an has a very important topic. We all know technology is evolving at a rapid pace and can work wonders for learning, but it can also be detrimental to students learning as well. Many students spend their school days texting, playing with their phone, or listening to music instead of paying attention in class. This article went through all the scenarios that schools can adopt to help fix this problem. The first option was to ban the use of those technological devices in schools. The author does not think that would be the best idea, and goes through many more option. The main point the author seems to try and get across is that the technology can be used to benefit students. Teachers instead of banning technology need to come up with ways to make them useful in class. I agree with this one-hundred percent. No matter what a schools stance on cell phones and ipods are they are going to be used in the school. If a school has a ban on cell phones, a majority of the students are going to find ways around it to use them anyways. Since this is the case I would argue that schools need to stop fighting it and just find ways to utilize them in ways that can benefit their students. Many examples as to how to use technology were given throughout the article. I think it is time that teachers stop getting frustrated with students using their cell phones and ipods and class and make good use of them. If teachers set up rules as to when students are allowed to use them, and also use them occasionally during lessons then I think the problems would be fewer. One example that I thought was a good idea, was that students were not allowed to have an ipod in during any full class discussions or lectures, but if they were working on stuff individually they were allowed to be listening to their music. This makes sense because it can often keep them more focused because they will not be distracted by other noises and classmates. This was just one good example and teachers need to be constantly think of new ways to incorporate these technologies into their classrooms.
Taming the Chaos
One use of cell phones discovered by one of our students is to use the phone as a 'clicker' audience response device to give instant feedback to the teachers. I know some teachers are familiar with these devices but do not have access to them in school. If most or all students have phones I'm sure some good lessons could be built around phone 'clickers'.
ReplyDeleteiPod are really pretty sophisticated computers and are great to supplement the school's computer inventory. Creativity is the key, along with convincing administration and fellow teachers that kids aren't just playing games.