Using Cell Phones Effectively in the Classroom

Rochester High School Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school. This is the

perfect opportunity to harness technology in the classroom that somebody else is paying for. Marc Prensky

(leading author in technology education) calls, “cell phones a student’s brain extender.” Whether we like it or

not cell phones change the way we think and act. Below you will find tools and tips to make cell phone usage

an effective part of your curriculum. I will attempt to update this as the year progresses.

Tool #1 – Poll Everywhere

What is it? Poll everywhere is a free site that allows students to text answers in real time. These answers

show up on your computer screen/projector.

How easy is it to use? To use Poll Everywhere you need to sign up for an account at

www.polleverywhere.com. Make sure you click on educator accounts.

How could I use this in my classroom?

Exit Slips – Post a question at the end of class asking students one thing they didn’t understand. You

get instant feedback from the poll and can review the most commonly misunderstood topics/themes.

Interesting Fact – Have students write one interesting fact they learned from a research project.

Give students a video or reading assignment to complete outside of class. When students return to

class have them post a twenty word or less summary.

I get lost and confused when dealing with technology. Will you come help me set up an account and do the

first poll with my class? YES! I would love to come in and do the first poll everywhere with you and your

class. Remember a large part of my job is helping you effectively integrate technology in your classrooms and

that can mean me teaching your kids.

Below is a sample Poll Everywhere poll done in Mrs. Littrell’s Sociology Class (Students were doing a country

culture Prezi)

In the box is the question I posed to the students.

Here are some of the student responses.

Cell Phone Ideas

Note(s) Capture – Allow students to take pictures of your notes with their cell phones. These can be notes

on the smartboard, projector or paper notes. This can be very beneficial for general education and special

education students who can’t keep up with notes during lectures. You could also have a student take pictures

of your notes and text them to absent students.

Photo Scavenger Hunt – Give students an assignment that involves taking photos.

Foreign Language – Have each student take a picture of an item they don’t know the pronunciation of.

During class they could put the picture on their phone under the document camera. They could then

have the teacher explain the correct usage and pronunciation. The learning is more meaningful

because the students participated in it.

English – Have students take a picture of 5 random things around their house. During the lesson the

next day have students in groups and they can create a creative writing story using only their pictures.

Science – During the leaf collection students could take pictures with their phones and make a digital

leaf collection. They also could text unique leaves to their teacher for a class discussion.

QR Codes – QR Codes are making their way into popular culture/advertising in the U.S. QR Codes are a simple

way to direct someone to additional information. This could be a video, website link or even a

phone number. I downloaded a free QR Reader on the iPads. For more background on QR Codes

please follow this link - http://tinyurl.com/84xndw . Using a free QR Code reader such a Kaywa or I-

nigma the students can scan your QR Code and go straight to a website or video without typing in

the URL. For example the QR Code to the left is linked to our district website. Scan the code and it takes you

straight to the website. I created it at - http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ . They are really simple to create. Here are

a few other ways you can use QR Codes with your students in the classroom (Borrowed from Tom Barrett’s

Presentation on QR Codes in the calssroom:

Use QR Codes to help students

check their answers

Use QR Codes to promote an event in your building/classroom.

Students can use QR Codes, linked to videos or pictures, in Papers to extend their ideas.

Add QR Codes to worksheets linked with additional resources for your students to use in

answering their questions.

Make a Model or Map come alive

Students could make a printable map come alive by placing QR Codes linked to information

about each region, continent or country.

Homework Help (This would work great with Kahn Academy Videos)

Cell Phone Etiquette and Safety – As educators it is our responsibility to teach students to be productive

members of society. With cell phones in our classroom we can help teach students proper etiquette and

safety when it comes to cell phones.

Other Uses of Cell Phones in the Classroom

Online Dictionary

Flash Cards – There are many apps available that allow students to make flash cards on their phones.

Make a short documentary while on a field trip

Calculator

Internet Research – When I was teaching there were several times each class I would have loved to

have the students stop what they were doing and find additional information on a topic. With cell

phones this is right at their fingertips.

Use their phones calendar to set up reminders for homework and tests.

Articles to Read on the Subject

Detroit News (Detroit City Schools Cell Phone Use) - http://tinyurl.com/6aeofr7

Chicago Tribune (Chicago Schools Cell Phone Use) - http://tinyurl.com/69jwpvd

Breaking the Cell Phone Ban - http://tinyurl.com/2wgovby

Scholastic – Do’s and Dont’s with Cell Phones - http://tinyurl.com/y959jvj