TECH AND LEARNING

Innovative educators George Engel, Rob Griffith, Scott Newcomb, Lisa Nielsen, Jason Suter, and Willyn Webb know that when it comes to preparing students for success in the 21st century, you not only have to think outside the ban, but also may have to dive in head first and break it. The following is a collection of ideas each teacher implemented to successfully break and/or work within the ban where they teach in an effort to empower students with the freedom to use their cell phones as personal learning devices.

The Ten Building Blocks for Learning with Cell Phones

1) Build RelationshipsBreaking the ban starts with the building of relationships with key constituents. Here is advice on how to get started. 
2) Embrace ResearchIn today’s educational climate providing evidence that the work you are doing is aligned to research and standards is crucial! Here are some ways to do this. 
3) Plan Activities

• Planning is key. Create and develop a plan, lessons, and activities that you can share with those who care and want to know what you have in store for the use of cell phones in the classroom.

• Develop a well thought-out plan for embedding cell phones into instruction. Invite your students to partner with you in developing ideas to meet learning goals using cell phones. This plan can be shared on your class and/or school website as well as distributed to parents, guardians, and school community members.