From Toy To Tool -- Making Cell Phones Useful In The Classroom

From Toy To Tool
Using Cell Phones In The Classroom

 While many teachers have struggled with the intrusion of these electronic devices within the classroom a growing number of teachers are slowly realizing the massive learning potential that these devices posses.  Cell phones are here to stay.  They are as much a part of a student's life as pop tarts and energy drinks (and surprising, more nutritious).  The power of these devices has not been fully utilized within the classroom.  Perhaps now is the time to change that.


Below you will find 10 easy ways that a teacher can utilize cell phones in their classroom.  While attempting to integrate all 10 of these is unrealistic, perhaps one or two could be embedded into your lesson this week.


10 Ideas For Including Cell Phones In Your Class:

1. Poll.  Student respond to online polls or quizzes (www.polleverywhere.com/).
2.  Communicate.  Send your students mass reminders (http://remind101.com/).
3.  Text.  Have students text a short summary of a lecture, a reading, or use them as a"ticket to leave".
4.  Utilities.  Have students use their built in tool (such as their stopwatch, calculator, calendar, reminders, unit converter)  to perform an activity for class.
5.  Read.  Use it to read an article, a current events story or a book (You may not like reading on a phone but the kids are fine with it).
6.  QR Codes.  Experiment with QR codes, into which you can embed text, url, phone numbers, and sms..
7.  Research.  Use a text-messaging search service or an app that allows students to look up a variety of facts.
8.  Dictionary.  Students can benefit from being able to query the definition of a word.  Additionally, students who are English learners can benefit from translation dictionaries.
9.  Voice Recorder.  Use the phones voice recorder to create interviews and conduct questionnaires.
10.  Camera/Video camera.  Use the camera or video camera to demonstrate understanding of a concept.