What tools did you try?
I have tried Poll Everywhere, Flip Cameras, iPhones and MP3 players and a great little 2.0 tool called iPadio.
What ways are you thinking about integrating mobile technology into YOUR classroom?
I have been using all these mobile learning devises for a few years now. I use Poll Everywhere to test student's knowledge of different countries or authors. This is fun to do at the beginning of a unit. I have used Flip Cameras and iPhones to recored performances and podcasts. I actually use iPadio for my podcasts...students call in record the message and then I get a recording of that on my site.
I encourage my students to bring their phones and MP3 players. There is just so much that these little devices can do for students in the classroom. I encourage students to download the novels we read, add their own apps for studying vocabulary, and other apps that encourage organization. Students can add to their blogs and respond to other's blogs. There is just so much they can do. Two years ago I was teaching a writing class and held class in a computer lab. I had a student who wrote all his papers via his phone. I found this amazing as he could "text" his papers faster than typing them out. He would then e-mail himself the papers and then print them out.
What challenges (or inspirations) do you foresee?
There are a few challenges when using mobile devices...one of them is that not everyone's device is equal. The iPhone, while popular, are not always attainable. It would be awesome if everyone had one, but they are expensive and not everyone can afford them.
The issue I had with Poll Everywhere is that students can wait and then poll the most popular answer. I think they have improved this by just showing the results, but students can still wait.
The other issue I have with iPhones and MP3 players is that they are difficult to monitor. Students can "look like" they are studying the flash cards or reading the book...the reality of the situation is that they are probably listening to music or watching a video.
So far your school district is the second one in this class that allows students to use their cell phones in class - how unique! Most everyone else reports that cells are banned from classrooms. How did you ever convince your administration to use them as a learning tool? A well written AUP would do wonders for those to listen to music or play games. Although, it could be argued that listening to music, while you work, actually helps students learn better (shades of MI). Thoughts?
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