There are a variety of ways that smart phones can be implemented into the classroom. They can be used for notes, working on assignments, checking grades, taking pictures or videos of in-class examples to later reference. However these functions are not the functions that teachers are worried about.
Teachers are more concerned about apps like Facebook and Twitter and smart phone functions like texting. These apps are the usual suspects for distraction of kids. However there are also ways that teachers can harness to true power of these apps and turn them into a creative and innovative teaching strategy that helps to engage kids. Edudemic is an online site that concentrates on ways to integrate new technologies into the classroom. An article written by Katie Lepi discusses 3 ways that we can use these distracting apps to help educate students.
In the article they talk about how teachers can hold "virtual office hours" by texting students. This makes it easier for kids to contact teachers during busy days (however the teachers would need to lay down ground rules for appropriate texting times). Another neat idea is allowing students to use Facebook or Twitter to make an discussion board. There are a lot of great ways to utilize smart phones while also diminishing their distraction value. The list provided here is not exhausted and there are plenty of ways to encourage use of smart phones in the classroom that fosters an engaging learning environment.
Teachers are more concerned about apps like Facebook and Twitter and smart phone functions like texting. These apps are the usual suspects for distraction of kids. However there are also ways that teachers can harness to true power of these apps and turn them into a creative and innovative teaching strategy that helps to engage kids. Edudemic is an online site that concentrates on ways to integrate new technologies into the classroom. An article written by Katie Lepi discusses 3 ways that we can use these distracting apps to help educate students.
In the article they talk about how teachers can hold "virtual office hours" by texting students. This makes it easier for kids to contact teachers during busy days (however the teachers would need to lay down ground rules for appropriate texting times). Another neat idea is allowing students to use Facebook or Twitter to make an discussion board. There are a lot of great ways to utilize smart phones while also diminishing their distraction value. The list provided here is not exhausted and there are plenty of ways to encourage use of smart phones in the classroom that fosters an engaging learning environment.
The above image was taken from my phone. It is an example of a possible students. All of the apps above could be used for education or are meant for education.
RSS Feed