A Blog by Mr. Elson

Mobiles to Help Learning?

Nov 03

melsonGadgets, Teaching, Technology education, High school, Mobile phone, UK No Comments

I found this fascinating quote today:

Looks like Notre Dame high school in the UK is taking the bull by the horns and moving forward with an initiative to allow the use of mobile phones for educational purposes during class time.

Assistant headteacher Paul Haigh said mobiles, MP3 players and gaming devices were “untapped resources” for teaching and learning.

“We realise as a comprehensive state school we could never afford to buy every student all the IT and mobile devices we would like them to have.

He added: “But most students own many of these devices anyway – they’re just hidden in their schoolbags. What’s more they’re experts in using them, knowing all the short cuts and characteristics of their own equipment as they use it every day.”

Image via Wikipedia

Mr Haigh said there was little logic in allowing pupils to use a netbook in school while banning mobile phones, many of which could access the internet, record sound and take digital photographs.

teach42.com, Teach42

You should read the whole article.

Popularity: 59% [?]

Durant schools put silence on cell phones

Jul 15

melsonTechnology Board of Education, cell phone, cell phones, classrooms, Mobile phone, School, School district, Science and Technology, Student No Comments

“Can you hear me now?”

This phrase will not be heard this year from students when they return to classes at any of the schools under the supervision of the Durant Independent School District.

While students will now be allowed to carry their cell phones with them on campus, they will not be allowed to use them during school hours. Previously, cell phones were banned.

The change in policy was unanimously approved by the Durant I.S.D. Board of Education at Monday’s monthly meeting.

Durant Daily Democrat – Durant schools put silence on cell phones.

Popularity: 5% [?]

CIO Corner

Jun 11

melsonTeaching, Technology classroom, education, Kids and Teens, Mobile phone, Teaching, Text messaging, texting No Comments

I found this fascinating quote today:

What if our educators took time out of each day to reinforce the proper, safe and secure way of using these devices – not only inside the walls of the classroom – but outside as well? Don’t you believe that would begin to reduce the number of inappropriate uses (sexting)?JDS-CIO, CIO Corner, Jun 2009

You should read the whole article.

Popularity: 10% [?]