A New Learning Tool in the Classroom: Cell Phones

[continued]The ideal would be to "rent" fully capable cell phones to students (if theirs was not featured and functional enough or didn't have one) at a very low, subsidized rate. That way, all students in a class would have same opportunity. For now, doing same for laptops for each student would be better because cell phone capabilities have yet to equal laptops - but the time is near! I'm a teacher who embraces technology and looks to leverage what is in the hands of students now. Our educational strategies need to be compatible with the way students engage, communicate and collaborate now. And, it's mixed between computer/internet and cell phone. That's where we should be looking to improve the strategies and methods used to educate our children.

I'm a teacher in my 3rd year after 25+ years in IT. I teach Science and Math in high school. The issue with cell phones is that administrators and school district management and school board members are stanchly opposed to their use. They're paranoid about what the students might do with the phones while in school just as they are paranoid about the music they might listen to on iPods or MP3 players. So, no cell phones or iPod/MP3 on during school. But, there would also need to be some technology made available to teachers to integrate the cell phones into their lessons. And, the economically disadvantaged would need to be provided for. Finally, the capability of cell phones in students hands varies widely so the lowest common denominator cell phone would drive the features and functions.

Good morning Alexis. I saw the interview with Mr. Pickens and the one thing that really gets me is that CNG for vehicles, especially heavy trucks is that it takes 3 or 4 times more CNG than an equivalent in diesel. Cleaner-yes. Practical-NO. It would also be very costly from a fuel useage issue and the tanks to contain the CNG would be huge! A typical heavy duty truck holds from 240-300 gallons of diesel. Mr. Pickens has significant money invested in CNG. Thanks Jim Rogers

Alexis, you need to stop worshiping these CEOs. Praying at the altar of technology is NOT the answer to education failures. Gee, how did I learn geometry, algebra, calculus, analytic geometry (and everything else) without a cell phone. I was so deprived it's a wonder I graduated at all.

I think many teachers and parents worry about students texting each other instead of using the phones for educational purposes, but this can be controlled. A great feature kajeet has is free parental controls, so schools could have a feature that has school controls. The parental controls feature allows parents to set limits for calls and text, meaning you can decide when the child can accept or make text or calls. The parental control feature also allows parents to decide who they can receive text and calls from. I believe if a school uses carriers that will allow them to control how the phone is used it will be a great asset to many school districts. Many people are against the amount of money schools spend on technology in schools, but many people do not discuss the amount of money schools spend on consultants that have never sat in a classroom but give all the "great ideas" that do not seem to be working. I think cell phones in the classroom are a great idea if they are used for the right purposes.

My initial reaction to reading the blog title was anger. Texting is such an important component to young women's lives, they simply will not give it up unless these phones are taken away from them. We have experience with that at both our firm and hearing complaints from teachers and friends. But, this is a software issue and can easily be fixed for classroom use. These things are the perfect size for augmenting a lesson plan as every student could use one in the classroom. They are much cheaper than desktops. And they are far easier to administrate. Imagine a classroom full of iPod touches and what could be learned! I have 2 boys, 6 and 8, and they both love the Nintendo DS and iPod touch. The DS is mostly games, but the touch has hundreds of educational 'games' and learning applications. My son has excelled far faster in math that any of his classmates because he learns from both his books and his various computers. Kids are computers are a natural draw. Boys, especially, are immediately comfortable on computers and will do things on them that amaze you. This is a natural fit and should be encouraged. I would support any and all endeavors regarding hand-held devices in the classroom. I've seen them work their magic and it is impressive. For classrooms with young women, age 12+, software would have to be put in place to control texting. Something like if they tried, they'd get a nice shock. That would be a hoot. I envy the new technology. In my day, we got impossible-to-read, fuzzy purple text dittos with toxic fumes. This was the mid 70s, but it was Alaska. It took us a while to catch up to the technology 'down south.'