ClassTech: Integrating Technology into the Classroom for Increasing Engagement and Closing the Achievement Gap

Embracing Cell Phones In Classrooms

Video in the Classroom: Recording and Distributing Lectures

Cross Posted from my in-school blog for teachers (I won’t be linking to that blog as its internal to the school) While one of our colleagues has been out, I’ve been subbing for AP Calc for a good while now. The first day that I took the class on, however, was that snowy day when [...]

How Schools Treat Information: Knowledge as Fuel, not Capital

This past week, I began my studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. I’m in a distance-learning program where I’ll be studying Computing in Education. One of the courses I’ve started with is called Computers & Users of Information in Education, and one of the first questions posed by the instructor was “How have schools treated [...]

Planning Backwards for Technology – Getting Past the “Cool Factor”

When life turns boring (even for just 3 seconds) I’ve found myself reaching into my pocket for my phone and turning to twitter. I think there are huge problems with social media and distractions, but that’s another post for another day. I tweet under the ID @ClassTechEdu. Anyway, yesterday, I was scrolling through tweet after [...]

Embracing Social Technologies in Schools

The school I work for instituted two new disappointing policies over the summer: 1. Students are not allowed to have cell phones on them at any time in school. 2. Teachers cannot be facebook friends with students. Both policies are well intentioned. Having students’ cell phones in the lockers instead of on their person disables [...]

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Embracing Cell Phones In Classrooms

Filed under Cell Phones, Hardware, Policy Debate by Mike Kadin on March 13, 2011 at 9:42 pm {no comments}

I recently gave a talk examining school policies around cell phones (typically, they are banned) with a critical eye at a “Tech Talk” at the Massachusetts Center for Charter Public School Excellence. The video (while quite lengthy) is below. First I talk about why cell phones seem scary for teachers / administrators. We fear kids will be distracted in class, they’ll be sexting, and that they won’t be professional with their use. Then I discuss the benefits of having these multimedia devices in the classroom (taking pictures, recording audio, collaborating / communicating, etc). The talk closes with a proposed school policy where cell phones can be used in a controlled setting. What do you think? Do cell phones have a place in schools?