The Ten Building Blocks for Learning with Cell Phones

The Ten Building Blocks for Learning with Cell Phones

 
Innovative educators George Engel, Rob Griffith, Scott Newcomb, Lisa Nielsen, Jason Suter, and Willyn Webb know that when it comes to preparing students for success in the 21st century, you not only have to think outside the ban, but also may have to dive in head first and break it. The following is a collection of ideas each teacher implemented to successfully break and/or work within the ban where they teach in an effort to empower students with the freedom to use their cell phones as personal learning devices.

1) Build RelationshipsBreaking the ban starts with the building of relationships with key constituents. Here is advice on how to get started.

• with self: Realize that leadership begins with example. There are those who are threatened by transitions and change.
• with students: Let students know you care about making learning fun and relevant and ask them if they’d like the option to be able to do work using their cell phones.
• with parents and guardians: Start with the parents by using the cell phone as a tool to bridge the home-school connection. You can have a “Text-of-the-Day” to update parents on what’s happening in the class. You can text parents individually to share information about their child. You can read this article for more ideas 6 Ways to Use Cell Phones to Strengthen the Home-School Connection .
• with colleagues: Try to establish yourself as an innovative leader when it comes to empowering students and teachers with technology. A focus on student centered learning is key.
• with administration: Start by working within the system to bring about technological change. Become known as someone that works with what your school has on hand and is flexible to administrative needs.
• with district: Become known as a tech leader. Offer to participate in school and district-wide technology decisions.

2) Embrace ResearchIn today’s educational climate providing evidence that the work you are doing is aligned to research and standards is crucial! Here are some ways to do this.

• In addition to content area alignment, ensure your cell infused lessons indicate alignment to the National Education Technology Standards.
• This is a sample of a math teacher’s compilation of Standards-Aligned Activities with Cell Phone and Other Technologies
• Incorporate the use of cell phones aligned to Robert Marzano’s nine research-based strategies.
• You can think of your own or use some of these ideas shared on The Innovative Educator blog.
• Demonstrate careful research of the use mobile technology to building principal and district administration. Provide specific data and examples that are up-to-date, not out-of-date.

3) Plan Activities