How can we maximize the use of technology in the classroom?

[Lance]

I attended the CLMS literacy conference last summer where Mark presented on Google tools for the classroom. I have used some of the options he presented and I started thinking of the possibilities it presents. I would like to discuss the possibility of using cell phones to access the Google tools available and if cell phones could actually be used instead of computers in the classroom.

[Jenna Cestone]

I agree Lance.-good discussion topic. Cell phone use is a good start, but I have an iTouch Maclab in my classroom, and it is even better than having random cell phones because it evens the playing field. Not every kid in your room will have a cell phone with the same capabilities and phone service plans, so parents might not want them using the minutes online without their express permission. Also, you might want to ask your administration and IT guys at your school about bandwidth. If the students are going to piggy back on to school servers and use the wirelsss there, will it slow down the usage for everyone else at the site? We did have a problem like that at my school, and our IT dept. is doing upgrades this summer to the bandwidth. Another point is getting the students to sign a safety plan. Access to Google means access to the internet, and they'll have to complete some sort of cyber ethics or safety online course to have the basics. This can be a real issue and liability to the school, if you don't cover the legal bases up front. One of the pitfalls of technology in the classroom is anticipating what can happen, and putting every filter/safety mechanism we can in place to protect the students, ourselves, and the site. Something to think about in this ever changing field of education.

[Molly]

It's interesting to consider using cell phones to access Google tools, but for most students in low income areas, even text messaging is cost-prohibitive. Many students have cell phones, but may not have plans that allow unlimited texting. The vast majority of students in my area have cell phones, but very few have smart phones with data packages that would allow them to access Google Docs, calendar, etc.

I've seen districts looking at netbooks and even iPod Touch devices to give students handheld access to powerful web tools. But with money as tight as it is, it really takes a grant or other funding commitment to make that a reality. And of course, a huge amount of professional development to help teachers use the tools consistently to engage students and support academic standards!