cellular learning

I attended a snowy conference this week.  This is an image taken yesterday evening with my cell phone.  We were at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY.

I heard an interesting statement today while at a technology leadership conference that made me do some thinking.  An individual pointed out that 5 years ago educational technology leaders were all about one laptop for every child.  These leaders claimed to be visionaries who said by this day in time we would see that come to pass.  Today this gentleman asked the same question of Eliot Soloway of the organization GoKnow  regarding the use of mobile devices in the classroom.  Dr. Soloway responded that we will see mobile devices being used by every student for learning in five years.  This seems like a grandiose claim, but is it?  When we consider the fact that in 2008 over 38 million laptops were sold (Global Sources, 2009) and that 1.28 billion mobile phones were sold in 2008 (Wireless and Mobile News, 2009), one can easily see that cell phone use is vastly outpacing laptop use.  Our children,  our students, are using cell phones as part of their lives.  Many feel they can not  exist with out them.  In 5 years, the potential truly does exist for mobile devices like the cell phone to be used for learning.

It was very interesting, hearing Dr. Soloway and the cofounder of his group Dr. Norris speak today.  They spoke of the use of cell phones as learning tools in a variety of classrooms in the United States and even one in Singapore.  Their philosophy is centered around a district provided cell phone for every student.  This philosophy does have its merits.  Districts that provide the mobile devices to students would have a large amount of control over content and use of those phones within their buildings and classrooms.  Also, such a homogenous type of system would allow the use of mobile apps  to which every student and teacher would have access.  This would allow collaboration and sharing of ideas between student and teacher and bring a truly dynamic element to the classroom. 

My philosophy is a bit different.  I believe that students should be able to use their own phones.  I know that this lacks the homogeneity  that Dr. Soloway promotes.  However, this takes the burden off the districts for the provision of the technology.  Additional, I believe my philosophy does open up the ability to truly teach responsible use of the technology to our children.  This does put more responsibility on a teachers lesson design and management skills, but I believe our teachers are up to this sort of challenge.  

As we begin to assist learners in finding 21st century literacy skills, cell phones are an integral part of that process.  We cannot ignore the impact that cell phones have had on our society.

I finally feel as if my students are beginning to embrace the use of cellphones for actual educational purposes! Today I did the following polleverywhere.com question with them and had 100% participation. I also found a solution for those who do not have an unlimited texting plan that allows them to contribute to these polls. The Ipod Touch and a wifi hotspot!!!! When the student found that he could use an Ipod to participate he was very excited. I am very encouraged to see the work that my students are doing. Tomorrow we go into a computer lab to work with a wiki I am having them build and to work on a flip-book project as well.