Journal 4

"From Toy to Tool"
By Liz Kolb

This article discusses the use of cell phones as educational tools. This can be accomplished by taking advantage of audio inputs of blogging sites. Essentially, a person can dial a number and be connected to the hosting service. With the blog information set up, it would be easy to conduct interviews outside of the classroom. It becomes easier for the students to construct a more meaningful project. There are some concerns, however, to this audioblogging. There are privacy issues. There are also issues of teaching students to use copyrighted items with permission. Next, there is the issue of cost. The biggest issue for teachers, however, is trust. Teachers find it difficult to give control to the students. The author of this article suggests making a contract with the student for classroom etiquette whilst using cell phones. The author says, “by using cell phones, we are connecting with the technology that students use everyday in their social lives and we can channel that use into meaningful learning….Cell phones can be transformed from a social tool to an educational one.”

1.Q: how could this technology make its way to classrooms with limited funding resources?
A: As mentioned in this article, Ms. Kolb suggests that the teacher could write mini technology grants to purchase a couple of classroom cell phones.

2.Q: How would I see myself using this technology in my classroom?
A: I could require that the students interview a war veteran to try to get a first hand account.