Using Cell Phones in the Classroom: Unsuccessfully!

Cell phones are a constant issue in educational settings. Even though it is clearly written in the syllabus and a campus wide policy that cell phones are considered a distraction, the use and often abuse of digital devices is an ongoing struggle. I've gone back and forth on how to address the fact that devices are almost like an extra appendage for many of our younger students. They simply cannot understand why it isn't appropriate to take and post selfies during a lesson. Asking them to stow devices deep into their backpacks is akin to cutting off their pinky finger.

As I continue to incorporate more technology into the learning environment, I decided to find ways to transform cell phones from personal use to an educational platform. One Digital Tuesday, the day I reserve  technology exploration, students paired up with smart phone owners to research educational apps and other tools. I demoed several examples and then teams were asked to explore the following free resources depending on the device: The Best Educational Apps (Android) through Edudemic and The 55 Best Free Education Apps For iPad through TeachThought.

Students were asked to review the descriptions of several apps with the option to download any apps that might be of interest. The groups were then asked to report back to the class with examples and recommendations of educational apps. I was looking forward to this lesson because it was an opportunity to infuse their interests (cell phones!) into the educational environment. However, the lesson did not flow as intended including lack of WiFi strength in the classroom, lack of interest in using devices for learning, and the disparity in technology between students.

While this particular lesson was not executed as planned, I am not giving up on using cell phones for educational purposes. It will depend on the activity as well as access to technology. In the future, we are hoping to receive COW access (Computer on Wheels) which I believe will be a better venue to explore apps. They can then opt to download the apps for their own use outside of class.

Quill: personalized and interactive grammar lesson for emerging writers

I am always on the look out for alternatives to traditional direct grammar instruction. In today's Effective Writing classes, students explored the web-based tool, Quill. The program provides a personalized and adaptive learning environment for students with engaging and relevant lessons. Students can be in control of their own learning by following the features or join the instructor's online classroom. The classroom gives instructors the option to plan and recommend lessons, track student scores and manage profiles. Did I mention this is a free tool!

Especially for emerging writers, revision is often and regularly resisted. Students find the revision process tedious and uninteresting. However, quill.org turns revision into a game. The passages are high interest and students are told how many errors they need to find, turning this into a search puzzle, while honing in their revision skills. Overall, quill is a great tool to get emerging writers engaged in the revision process. 

Presentation on Blogging to Faculty

Last week I presented on the benefits of blogging for emerging writers at our faculty staff meeting. (Stay tuned: At the end of this term, I will provide a summary evaluation of this project.) At the meeting, I discussed the process I took in selecting a blog site. Determining I would need a certain level of management and protection support, I decided to upgrade with Edublog, allowing me to have complete control over each student blog including posts and comments. In addition, I was able to enter each student dashboard to problem solve as needed. While it did take more set up time than I had intended to spend, in addition to a complicated log in process, the paid management benefits outweighed these disadvantages.

The best outcome, which I will discuss in a future blog, is the way students, especially struggling writers, engage with their and other student blogs. They were able to design and personalize the look of their blogs which would not have been possible if we had just one class blog. This gives them a sense of ownership. Tuesdays have been the only day in the week where I have to ask students to leave class because they are so engrossed in their blogs. If an instructor is looking to blog in class, there are free options. However, due to the demographics of my particular class, having management and authorization abilities made Edublog the right choice.

Rewordify.com: Where have you been all my teaching life?

I suspect this tool has been around for a while but having recently discovered Rewordify.com, I simple cannot get enough and neither can my reading students!

Rewordify allows students to enter complex text into a template. This can be copied in or typed. By clicking "rewordify text" the  passage is immediately rephrased into simpler terms. Students can adjust the level for the needs such as selecting familiar words to skip. In addition, key words and phrases are highlighted which not only helps with comprehension but also models highlighting skills. 

This is a free online software that does not require downloads or other installations so it is easily accessible to students from a variety devices. What I especially like is that this program was developed by a special education teacher and former computer programmer for the purpose of helping students read complex passages. Technology that focuses on students with diverse learning needs gets my thumbs up. 

There are many uses in the classroom and beyond. I had students look up essays from The Electric Typewriter and copy complex text into the template. They appreciated the simplified text and highlighting tool. They were then asked to re-read the complex text to gauge comprehension. 

This is a great tool for instructors who would like to know the level of a text as well.