Contributor: Kim Leegan
Welcome to Using Smart Phones in the Classroom!
Welcome to my blog page on the use of smart phones in the classroom. There are literally thousands of articles, videos, blogs, seminars and professional development events dedicated to using phones in school. As you begin to explore these topics, it can become a bit overwhelming. My hope is that I can introduce just a few ways to consider using smart phones as part of your classroom curriculum. If these ideas spark a desire on your end to explore these topics further, you will not be disappointed with the amount of material available. At the end of this page, I have posed some discussion questions. I hope we can engage in some lively debate.
Using Smart Phones in the classroom
Smart phone technology is here to stay. Why not incorporate it into the classroom? There are countless uses for smart phone devices in the classroom. Here are just a few:
Using QR Codes
Quick Reference codes are a simple device that allows a person to scan an image of a code that has been embedded with either text or with a link to additional information.
How do you create QR Codes?
There are many free websites that provide this service. For example, go to
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ or http://www.qrstuff.com/
How can you read/scan a QR code?
Using your smartphone or iPad, you can scan QR images and gain additional information. You will need an app for your smart phone or iPad. Again, there are numerous available apps and most are free. For my iPad, I use Qrafter- QR Code Reader and Generator. There are countless others. If you search QR Reader in the app store, you will find many apps you can download.
How can you use QR codes?
- You can create QR codes that provide text and have the students scan the codes and complete a task.
- QR codes can be set up that once scanned can lead students to a website or on-line database that has information you want the student to access.
- I have used QR codes in these ways and have made them a standard part of my project based learning. When students create a project, I also have them create a QR code so that when we are viewing exhibits, students can scan the QR and get more information about the project.
- QR Codes are efficient and easy. You could set up a code with homework information and simply have students scan it on the way out the door.
Other uses of Smart phones in the classroom:
1. Use Smart Phone to access Twitter.
Allow your students to access Twitter via their smart Phones, and do some of the exciting activities explained in the "Using Twitter in the Classroom" module.
1. Use Smart Phone to access Twitter.
Allow your students to access Twitter via their smart Phones, and do some of the exciting activities explained in the "Using Twitter in the Classroom" module.
2. Google Goggles
Thanks Kamila Cirigione for sharing this tidbit....Download the google app to your smart phone. Once you download this app, look for the goggles symbol under the search bar. You can use the google goggles feature to take a picture of something. For example, take a picture of the Mona Lisa. Google goggles will now identify the picture, "Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci" and will direct your students to the website(s) that have information about the item. Still in its infancy stage, but sure to catch up quick, this will allow quick identification of people, places, etc. and then direct the students to the location on the web to find information on this.
3. Use the smart phone to access Pandora:
Incorporate music into your lessons. The Pandora app on smart phones is free or go to www.pandora.com and set up a free account. Pandora is customized radio and allows students to add music to the lessons. Students can search music by genre and decade. In my AP Classes, we used Pandora to have music from the 1920s and the Jazz Age playing during a review game.
How else can I use smartphone technology in the classroom?
There are countless free apps for the smart phone for education and by subject. Many free smart phone apps for reviewing material, taking notes, etc are available. Have students download some of the free apps that are relevant to your learning area and set aside 10 or 15 minutes a week for review games using these apps. Enough students will have these devices to make it work in the classroom. The fact that everyone doesn't have a smartphone will not matter. This is UC, we share!!! I don't have a smart phone (can you believe it) and I do all of this.
My favorite apps for the classroom are (most are free):
APExamPrep McGraw Hill
TripAdvisor
Our Choice - Push Pop Press** (Fascinating interactive book by Al Gore)
Smithsonian
BrainPop
Cramberry
National Archives -Today's Doc
Pandora Radio
Beyond Textbooks 2010: Pearson Education
Khan Academy
Qrafter -QR Code Reader
Scan QR Code City
American History Games - Pearson Education
World Book- This Day in History
Constitution for iPad
Google Earth
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48293871/t/good-ways-smartphones-are-being-used-high-school/
http://www.teachthought.com/technology/44-better-ways-to-use-smartphones-in-the-classroom/
http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/using-smart-phones-in-the-classroom
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/27/students-use-cellphones-as-part-of-classroom-lessons/1794883/
http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/51894
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/50-qr-code-resources-for-the-classroom/16093
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/09/qr-codes-classroom
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
http://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
Questions for Response/Comments:
1. What is your favorite smart phone app? Why?
2. If a student wants to use their phone as the device of choice in the classroom, is there a downside? Do you think the students would be more engaged or more distracted?
3. Would you support a "bring your own device" policy in your classroom? Why or why not?
Remind 101 is a favorite with my writing students. Day one in September they took out their phones, downloaded the app and signed into our class with the code I provided. Now I use it to remind them of things during the week. I only meet them on Tuesday & Thursday; this way I can remind them of quizzes, tests and writing assignments. I use Edmodo for this class and I allow late work by a specific hour, like "Friday @ 6:36 PM". Remind 101 lets me blast a message to the class. During Sandy I sent a message to the students to Tweet their experiences to our class Twitter hashtag #. Many engaged in the activity eager to share experiences.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of remind 101 and also shared the codes with parents on back to school night.
DeleteRemind 101 sounds very cool & I am definitely having my SMAC Board sign up so I can communicate important upcoming events & tasks to them. Thanks!
DeleteI forgot to mention my Biomechanic students utilize "google drive" to edit their papers both via their smart phone and laptop
DeleteI'm a big fan of Brain Pop. I hope we can continue our subscription. it is perfect for introducing a topic or author. For exsmple, I used to help explain communism when reading Animal Farm.I also like Qrstuff.com dand Qrafter and plan to use them to create SAT vocab. word codes to put around my classroom.
ReplyDeleteYes...please continue the brain pop subscription...great way for quick reviews too especially in AP, where there is so much material.
DeleteI love all of the apps available for my classes. I am using remind 101 and pandora (when connected to wi-fi only)to play classical music daily to drown out the surrounding noises of the day.
ReplyDeleteMy concern with the students using a smartphone in class is that they are using their phones in class. We have had so much emphasis on the phones being away and not permitted in the past. Now to go to a model where we are incorporating them in class makes many teachers concerned. As a parent I am equally concerned. We cannot control their phone usage and the sites they are visiting on their phones and with the cameras and teeangers, it's nerve-wracking. I am still hesitant.
I share your concern about phones in the classroom. Speaking as a student my one professor has a class policy that phones should be put away during class. We are heavy in tech in these classes but she has found that phones cause too much of a distraction for students.
DeleteI find I agree with her and am easily distracted by my phone and my apps whether I'm checking the latest tweets or my facebook. In her class I am completely engaged because she uses lots of tools and is very dynamic and because my phone is away in my backpack.
I have some of your same concerns.
DeleteIn the end, I think this all about balance. Just like the laptops, we have to monitor and teach the students how to use them appropriately. I share the concerns you have all raised but I would much rather have the students use the phones on their desks, then hide using them under the desks? As teachers today ( and parents), like it or not we have a responsibility to teach the students about the responsibility associated with all of this technology. We don't give someone a drivers license without class and road instruction but some how it has become the right of passage at 5th grade or so to get a phone. Do we pass up the opportunity to engage them and teach because we can't control every aspect of it? It's a tough call.
DeleteI agree with all the comments above and it is a tough decision. If, as Kim says, we monitor the use of the phones then they can be a great additional tool in the classroom.
DeletePhones have come a long way and we, as educators, should be able to control the use of them. There are days in my classroom when a students laptop will be in 115. If they are working on an online assignment I have no problem letting them use their phone to answer questions or post to a blog. We need to look to the future and embrace the changes. With good classroom management this can go a long way.
Kim you really have a nice list assembled! I think the best part is how progressive we've become that we are able to discuss school policy in an open forum for all. This is a great precedent and allows all opinions to be expressed. I look forward to all of these ideas and future policy discussions!
ReplyDeleteKim thanks for the comprehensive list of apps - I too am impressed with Remind 101, both Tricia and Emily use it at their respective high schools and have witnessed it first hand Now that I understand the app better and see the success Emily has had - I plan on implementing it with my classes especially the foundation biology class - I currently use Pandora on my phone connect it to speakers to drown out the outside noises as well (works great in the fall and spring, when the seniors aree in the courtyard duing lunchtime) But I agree with both Tracy and Jim, in regards to our school;s policy pertaining the usage of cell phones
ReplyDeleteI am a little hesitant to use the smart phone in class because you can't control a student's use of it but will have them download the National Archives app
ReplyDeleteI have used this app before but not have any of my classes download it.
DeleteWhat an interesting and timely topic. There are some great apps listed as I cannot imagine life in my classroom without Remind 101 and life in general without Dropbox. With Dropbox I have every file with me wherever I am on any device, laptop, cell phone, iPad, etc.
ReplyDeleteTo me cell phone usage is about engagement and appropriateness.
I agree with Jimmy's post that he likes his class because "she uses lots of tools and is dynamic". The phone is a tool and the apps contain the power.
I do love the Dropbox app, but I also like to use GoodReader with certain documents, especially when I want to annotate.
DeleteI love using phones in my classroom. It works well with my AP because I have them record conversations and send them to me. I also enjoy using polleverywhere and most of the Spanish newspapers have apps too. The Spanish channel (Univision) also has a great application that includes everything from news clips and articles to the programs on television. I know this is a controversial topic because phones maybe a distraction in the classroom. I understand that and I find it is true to a certain extent. It is important to explain to the students that using the phones for anything other than classwork is not allowed and they will be taken away. I find that prohibiting the use makes them want to use it more and is more distracting.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWhich voice recording do you use? Google Voice, Voice Thread.
DeleteGreat insight, Catarina. I agree.
DeletePolleverywhere is a fantastic app!
My students love using Polleverywhere. I use Google Voice it is very convenient.
DeleteMy favorite App is Edmodo, as I can check who sends in their homework from my cell and iPad. The students can also check their assignment and post through their cell phones. I also use Quizlet, Twitter, Google, Pinterest (but for my own collection of "French Things" to show in the class.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the concern with the usage of cell phones in the classroom, there can be a downside as you can not control what students are doing all the time. I usally will say "take out your cell phone for this activity" and then put it away after we are done. When my classes use Google Goggles, they take them out for the "appropriate" use and then put them away.
There are still a number of students that do not have a SmartPhone or their data is not unlimited. I usually will have the students pair up.
I agree about the edmodo app. I love that no matter where I go I can easily access edmodo through the app on my iPhone or iPad. It is great to know that I can answer any student question instantly but I can also grade or post new assignments whenever I feel inspired. I do not think about the data usage with the students. That will be something I will be thinking about from now on!
Delete"There are still a number of students that do not have a SmartPhone or their data is not unlimited. I usually will have the students pair up."
DeleteThat's a good thing to address at the beginning of the year, before any regular activity begins. I probably wouldn't have thought about some students not having unlimited data plans.
I agree there's always room for a balance. Interestingly enough your last statement about data is a very current issue because phone companies are now starting to rate data plans. The days of unlimited data are gone for now (once you renew your phone plan). Back in the 90's teens were getting in trouble for high phone bills, then it was for sending too many txt msgs, now it's for going on the Internet or accessing online data from apps too much. C'est la vie ;)
DeleteJust supervised a class where smart phones were used in group work. Students were motivated, stayed on task and learning outcomes were awesome!
DeleteNoreen and Kathy - Remind 101 app sounds very useful. would like you to show me how it's used in real time.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite apps that I would be lost without are edmodo and dropbox. These two apps create such a security blanket for me that they allow me to never be far away from my work or any idea that I might have. I also really like Evernote and dragon dictation. I remember first using the apps and college and both helped in organizing my life and in note taking and note saving.
ReplyDeleteI feel there is a time and place for all cell phone use. It is only a distraction, in my opinion, if we allow it to be. In the society we live in today smartphones or tablets are everywhere. I do not believe they should be something we should be afraid of but embrace. If we show the students that there is a right time to use there device, such as using an app or using their calculator, and a wrong time then students will see the true capabilities of there device. I have students that will utilize there note taking apps when they do not have their laptops and will just send it to themselves at the end. That to me is showing how incredible these devices are and how they can be used for so much more than texting. These devices are the future and will more then likely become a larger nuisance to the school community if we do not choose to take this opportunity now to show the educational possibilities that they hold.
Great ideas and all of his technology is truly amazing and moving so rapidly that we can only imagine what the next few years will bring. I know at least one teacher who tries to have a "technology free" day once a week. All technology off; listening, discussing, individual private reflection. I have had her/his students tell me it was the favorite part of the school week. I see and hear from teenagers (not only here) who are totally overwhelmed by everything "coming at them" night and day both educationally and socially.I think along with these great ideas we very specifically need to plan and help these very young people to maintain a healthy balance with some of the more "taditional" learning and communicating modes.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to see how far technology has come in recent years. I recently got a new Iphone and I have a few apps that I thoroughly enjoy using in and out of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI originally had my classes organized through a Google Site (which I still do) but the students voted on Edmodo and they really enjoy the "online community." I have found it to be extremely useful for posting topics and gathering class discussions. It is also great to answer student questions right from the Iphone or IPad and not have to be stricken to the laptop.
Another app I am growing used to is Dropbox. It not only saves space on my laptop but I can access it anywhere. It is also easy to share information and collaborate with others. I highly recommend it!
Ed, so interesting that the students voted Edmodo. So interesting.
DeleteI have found that just my openness to cell phones in my classroom has led me to new ideas, apps and implementations. Many times my students say, "there's an app for that"! They've shown me apps for polling, composing poetry, creating presentations, doing research, and more. I believe their sense of empowerment and ownership really helps their success. I haven't found my class to be any more distracted by using smart phones than I do using their laptops. As long as I am engaging them in using the phone within the activity, they do so...just like engaging them in using the laptop. And, I have to make sure the phones are out of use when I need them to be.
ReplyDeleteAnother great discussion - I will definitely download remind 101 - sounds very helpful. Again I am not in the classroom but use Dropbox all the time. It allows me to store and share photos, as well as all the recruiting videos. I am able to access a video to show it to a prospective family wherever I am. It has also been extremely helpful in sharing Recruiting Ads.
ReplyDeleteAs far as phones in the classroom, I think that a balance is definitely necessary, I don't think we can ignore that one to one learning is here to stay, giving our students the choice of the device they are comfortable using could make for an exciting learning environment. If we are to be a 21st century learning environment then we need to adjust to the learner. I would stress balance, even being in a meeting, I find that there should be times that phones/devices should be set aside. It can be very distracting when during a discussion people are constantly responding to their phones.