About me page!!

I would like to share the link of my about me page, if you have any ideas to share please feel free!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/115558679699664025681/about

How to Use Cell Phone as Learning Tools

How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools suggests that phones can be used for learning not only in the classroom, but also just about anywhere travel which means learning doesn’t stop once the school day is over. Cell phones in the classrooms are also economical and environmentally friendly. It cuts down on the cost of expensive computer labs, and helps save trees by not using so much paper. 

The use of videos and pictures on a cell phone can help students capture notes and focus more on lectures. If they’re at home and want to review the lecture, all they have to do is go back to their cell phone and review it instantly.   

Cell phones are also making classes more interactive by teachers and students engaging in chat sessions.  Students can post their questions and comments and receive answers instantly.  This can be done discreetly so students feel more comfortable about voicing their questions or concerns without feeling embarrassed.  It also encourages everyone to think and have opinions on particular subjects, which enforces cognitive thinking. 

The problems with cell phones in the classrooms are addressed starting with those students who don’t have one. This problem is solved by forming group activities so one phone can be shared among several students at one time.

The other problem of having cell phones in the classroom is getting reception in order to use them.  This may be a school issue of getting WIFI in the building.  If it’s a major problem, teachers should just assign cell phone related assignments for group work or homework.

Finally, the issue of inappropriate use of cell phones in the classroom.  The article suggests letting students teach teachers and other students about the inappropriate ways to use a cell phone.  Teachers are encouraged to discuss the consequences of cell phone misuse on a regular basis.  This keeps students aware of the misconduct and penalties. 

Educators should take advantage of the fact that most students have mobile devices and allow them to use them in the classroom. Yes, many school systems have imposed a ban on student’s use of cell phones in school; however, with the proper rules about student cell phone use, the phones can benefit a student’s education. For example,

The benefits of cell phones:

1. For students who take notes slowly, camera cell phones can take photos of the blackboard, and phones with recording apps can record lectures. Other students can record entire class activities in both audio and video for absent students. Also, students can text upcoming assignments to themselves and their calendars.

2. Access to the Internet would assist students in researching and studying guides.

3. Calculators can be used for math class.

4. Language learning apps can be used for writing, spelling, and grammar references.

5. Alerts can be issued in times of disaster, such as bombings and bomb threats, storms, floods, tornadoes and shootings.

6. Students can contact parents in case of an emergency.

Restrictions on cell phones:

1. No cell phone use during tests.

2. Use of phone during class only when instructed

3. Parental filters on smart phones so only age appropriate material is allowed access.

4. Allow teachers the authority to confiscate devices at their own discretion.

5. Inappropriate use or unauthorized will be punishable.

There is plenty of evidence that cell phones in classrooms enhance learning verses harming or hindering it. Students deserve to be taught in a technological classroom because that’s the kind of world we are living in today. Medical technology plays a pivotal role in helping people lead healthier and longer lives. Mobile technology helps users stays connected and conduct business in places where traditional landline phones may not be available. Military technology is crucial to a nation's ability to defend itself against threats of violence and terrorism. These are examples of how technological developments have never stopped; so why should it in the classroom?

Meg, O. (2012). How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/how-use-cell-phones-learning-tools

Teaching Today (2011). Cell Phones in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/cell-phones-in-the-classroom

Using Twitter in the classroom

This blog is about a teacher’s view on the use of Twitter as a learning tool and a mean of interaction in classrooms. The writer expressed his views about the positive role twitter can play in classrooms. He also included the views of a few high school teachers on this subject. They believe Twitter can be used as an online conversation tool that will encourage reactions and opinions from students on a particular subject of discussion. The feedback from students will help the teachers to effectively assess the understanding level of the students regarding the subject and identify and fix any misconceptions that the students hold.  The writer believes that if the teachers worked to show students ways to use twitter as an effective tool to master the kinds of skills and behaviors that matter, social networking space will become social learning space.

Since Twitter is already embraced by most of the teens nowadays, educators should encourage students to put it to good use by getting involved in productive conversations with their teachers and classmates. Aside from giving students the opportunity to get instant access to ideas from others, Twitter helps students challenge other individual’s thinking. They can ask questions, give opinion, and participate in collaborate dialogue. The use of social media by politicians to propagate their message has given students a chance to ask questions and to learn more about candidates. Moreover, Twitter can take involvement in the subject material to a whole different level. Tracee Ormon, a high school English teacher uses Twitter to help students to identify with the characters in the novel and to broaden their imagination.

Reference

Bill, F. (2011). Using Twitter in High School Classrooms, teaches 6th grade

      language arts in North Carolina 2005-2006. From:

                    http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical/2011/10/using-twitter-with-teens-.html

Our classrooms are changing!!

Are we doing what's best for our students, or are we doing what is most convenient for us????      

Yes, I believe we are doing what is best for students but at the same time I think the school, teachers, students and parents need to come together to enhance the use of technology for education.

Since technology evolves every minute of the day, it is very important that teachers keep themselves updated with technological development through continuous training courses. I believe if all teachers follow the Essential Conditions to effectively leverage technology for learning as listed in the ISTE’S NETS for teachers (http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx) it would help establish and maintain a standard of technology-use in and out of the classroom.

Watching the video, "Did you know" makes me think so much about how technologically aided this country is. In countries like Saudi Arabia the lack of such training programs has significantly affected the quality of education provided to the students. Even if the initiative to introduce such programs is taken, schools lack the infrastructure to accommodate the equipments and facilities needed.

As a computer teacher I try to help my fellow teachers to incorporate technology in their classrooms in the form of computer labs, networking, projects, videos, PowerPoint, and Internet, to provide an interactive learning environment to the students.