“How can you make cellphones in the classroom a purposeful tool instead of a distraction? “

As we continue in the new age of technology, devices such as computer laptops, tablets, cellphones etc. have become to be more prevalent in the classroom. Besides having students use a cellphone in the classroom, which could be distracting from the task at hand or (although this is unlikely) not all students may have access to one, we have researched a selection of alternative technologies which can be used as learning aids and tools. There are many technology items which schools and classrooms have access to, below is a compiled list of things you can do and use with access to various means of technology.

If your class has an interactive whiteboard and projector:

  • Show online videos related to the lessons.
  • Check out the software which came with the interactive board.
  • Try interactive websites such as BrainPOP or similar platforms.
  • Explore the virtual math manipulatives available online and on various websites!
  • Use the videoconferencing tool Skype or Zoom or a similar platform to connect beyond the classroom-perhaps with other classes from different places or guest speakers that are unable to physically attend the class.

If there is only one computer in your room:

  • Assign one student to be the class scribe and take notes. Students could take turns doing this!
  • Start a collaborative class blog, similar to the blogs we have created for this class but cumulative of everyone’s work and thoughts (this would be better suited for older grades).
  • Build a Google Classroom Site to use as a class content ‘base/house’ site. Children could access this (or parents) at their home as well.
  • Encourage skills such as research, writing or the creation of collaborative stories using a shareable word document platform such as Google Docs.
  • Record Screencasts for providing onscreen instruction.

If you have a pod of three to five computers in the classroom or access to a library with a pod of computers:

  • Explore student-created multimedia presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides etc.
  • Try using sites such as Edmodo, Schoology, Google Classroom or Moodle to manage course content, various assignments and possibly assessments.
  • Encourage students to start an interactive blog site on something of interest as we have done in this class.
  • Build websites with students using sites such as Weebly or Wikispaces..
  • Get the students to create cartoons or graphics using free online web sources.
  • Have students make videos using Windows Live Movie Maker, Video Editor or whatever the computer comes with/supplies. There are also various ones you can download from the internet such as DaVinci Resolve.

If you have access to a laptop cart or a computer lab:

  • Enable students to work through course content at their own pace through using screencasts, e-books, and other digital media.
  • Use Survey Monkey to get students feedback on certain assignments or aspects of the course-or create a poll
  • Explore digital note taking.

If your students have 1:1 laptops or Tablets:

  • All of alternatives and ideas listed above, whenever you want, for however long you like (especially if students take their laptops or netbooks home).

If your students have 1:1 mobile device such as a tablet etc.:

  • Use them as multifunction devices, use them to read (e-book), as a calculator or platform for digital note taking.
  • Try a tool like Nearpod to project information onto student devices.

It is important to remember when integrating technology into the classroom, that although students may have ample access to technology in their homes, they may not know how to use it properly for learning. A large part of integrating technology and arguably the most important is teaching the students how to use the technology they have access to appropriately and safely.

 

 

 

References

Edutopia. Technology Integration. 5 November 2007. November 2020. <https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-implementation>.