Mobile Learning Lab

Using technology in the classroom has changed greatly from when I was in high school.  Even since the early to mid 2000s so much has changed in such a short time.  I can remember when I had my first cell phone and we never even thought of being able to text.  Now I am learning about how text messages can be used in the classroom.  One way I can do this is by using a texting poll service - Poll Everywhere.  This was a really neat experience.  I began by asking the simple question "should students be able to use their cell phones in the classroom as part of the daily lesson?" Since it was summer vacation when I tried this, I sent out the request to some of my friends, this gave my results both a parent and student response.  One thing that surprised me was the hesitation on the students part to respond.  It was almost like they were unsure of the system.  One of my friend's daughter's even asked me if this was a trap?  I had to laugh but it showed me that even though students may want to always use their cell phones, they are unsure of how to use it in a educational way. Previously the only way they have been able to use their cell phones in school were when we did scavanger huts around the school and they needed documentation.  I believe that I will be able to use this service in the classroom however, I don't think I will be using it during the school day.  I could use this by having the students view the question at home at text their response by a certain time.  This could help us generate what we will discuss the next day or something along those lines.

Another tool that I find interesting and would like to try is using the Flip Camera in the classroom.  I know my students love to film and make videos so by having the flip cameras, I can have them create simple videos that can be used to show their creativitiy and is something different than the average shcool play.  I am also interested to try e-readers in the classroom.  Gaining access to an iPad lab next year, this is something that I can actually achieve.  Our school also has adopted a new textbook for high school math and there is a possiblity that this textbook is available in e-book.  If so, it will be interesting to see how having the book in digital form changes the students learning.  If this will improve the students understanding since we are now entering such a digital age.  A challenge from having the textbook digital is that there are some features you get from a book that you don't have while looking at a screen.