Thing #22 -- Your Cellphone as a Tool

No longer is your cell phone just a device for making a phone call. The capabilities and features of new cell phones now rival your home computer offering texting, photos, videos, blogging, social-networking, personal productivity, mobile office, online connectivity, ...the uses are endless. Our students are tapping into the communication, texting, and and social networking features; but, what about educational applications? Explore some of these sites offering ideas, applications, and ways of integrating this "life" technology into the classroom:

• http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=152
• http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/cellphones
• 20 Ideas: Getting students to use their mobile phones as learning tools
• http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/
• http://www.edutopia.org/student-opinions-classroom-technology
  
  

Discovery Exercises:

• Explore some of the cellphone tools sites and educational technology sites. Do you think that cellphone technology can be used in the classroom?


• What are some problems and issues you foresee in using cellphones in the classroom? (kids access -- cost, have vs have-nots, methods for including kids w/o phones or services).


• What is one way you could use your cellphone as a tool for your own personal productivity?
• How could they be used in the library? ...in the classroom?
• Write about your thoughts, on your blog, on using cell phones in the classroom and for your own personal productivity.

If you want more:

The power of the web is coming to your cell phone. Learn more about how to take advantage with these tools:

• Mobile Web - Directory & Search Sites
• DialDirections - free directions to an address, business, or event, sent as a text message directly to your cell phone.
• Fring - free calls over your cell phone (requires download, and either 3G or WiFi connection for phone).
• JahJah - free local VoIP calls, long distance at local rates.
• Jott - your voice translated into email and text messages.
• Phonevite - voice messages sent automatically to multiple numbers.
• TalkShoe - record phone or VoIP calls, publish as podcasts.
• Talkster - free, ad-supported long distance calling.
• ToneMine - mix and download free ringtones.