Teaching school texts by txt
Gilbert (2009) states that “Teachers should relax about pupil’ mobile phones – they can boost standards and liven up the lesson if used imaginatively”. He believes that “As teachers we have a duty to show children that these pieces of technology are not taboo items … and that they can have a very real role in the classroom”. He has found that other teachers, like him, are up in arms about students using mobile phones in classrooms.
Nottingham University conducted a survey recently to consider ways in which mobile phones can really help boost standards. They found that if mobile phones were used wisely and imaginatively then the benefits for worthwhile learning of individuals was enhanced. Examples of the use of mobile phones by students included setting deadlines on digital diaries, using bluetooth to send work to one another, researching issues on the web, and taking videos of the teacher explaining key concepts during a class. An exciting enhancement in mobile phones and one that has a central use to learning is the advent of “e-books”. The use of this tool on a mobile phone allows for not needing to carry around numerous, heavy textbooks or forgetting to bring items required to classes.
As Gilbert (2009) identifies, “… mobile phones are here to stay and are increasingly becoming a vital part of our modern world”. Further, he states that “It’s time for the teaching profession to enter the 21st century and embrace mobile phones as tools for learning, not agents of destruction”.
Reflection
What experience(s) do you have with mobile phones in the classroom?
What strategies would you employ to actively use mobile phones when teaching in your subject area(s)?
