Cell Phones as teaching Tools?!

"At a time when some educators sought ways to eliminate cell phones as a distraction, Cook wondered how he might capitalize on the technology that students already possessed."

In this article "Mobile Technology Goes to School" Cook has a great idea to use cell phones in the classroom to enhance learning. In the article he has concerns about texting and using bluetooth during class. This would be a concern for me as well. He solved this problem by asking Verizon to donate phones for his students, but these phones are not voice or text enabled. This allows the students to use these for emailing each other and the teacher. They also use applications for the classroom. They have specific applications called "GoKnow" and "Gaggle" that they use in their class. I would like to learn more about these applications!

I think this is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom. Our students of the 21st century were raised with technology and its best if we embrace this and use it to our advantage in the classroom. There are always going to be obstacles to over come like in any new idea or project, but I think technology in the classroom has great possibilities!

Emilie

Link to article