Cell Phones: Get out of Jail Free!

So this "cell jail" theory dominated my timeline for some reason this week. It's the idea of having students turn in their cell phones into a "cage" of sorts (often utilizing some teaching related material) to keep them out of the hands and off the minds of students during instructional time. With some of the post comments, I read that teachers would use the "incentive" that students would get participation points for it or could use it as a time to charge their phone in one location. Ironically enough, the idea of it all arrested me and wouldn't allow me to rest without offering an educational alterative.

Imagine, if you will, these students in the real world in a few years. How would they analyze data, quickly retrieve a definition, share a message or thought, and collaborate with colleagues? Let's bring it a little closer to home. In less years than that, what application would be used to submit documents and retrieve their immediate feedback? In all honesty, it's not even in a few years...it's their current reality.

As students walk down the sidewalk, headed home or sitting in the stands at a football game; they are doing more than social networking and texting. They are collaborating with their families on dinner plans through groupme, comparison shopping for the tickets to their favorite concert, and collecting data on the next showing at the movie theatre. All by their phone.

So our challenge is how do we "get them out of jail"...for free?! How do we free our students from attending the isolation cell that is our classroom and release them to make the connection between their world and the learning they must attain? How do we, as educators rise to the occassion and bring learning to the student by helping them find value in core content. One of the process standards for math says we should be helping students see the value of math in everyday life! What better way to connect their math standards (for example) to everyday life than to present it through the means of utilizing their mobile devices? The Technology Application standards summarize that by late middle and high school, students should be colloborating and evaluating products that were created digitally by other students.

What better way than to demonstrate how the "smart phone" is in fact smarter than we think than to allow them the opportunity to explore those possibilities. Let's help them use it to the capacity for which it was designed! This may require some education on our parts, but isn't that what we are as teachers- life long learners?
Rather than be afraid of their open use, encourage it! Educational Conferences offer various seminars on how to incorporate technology into the curriculum. Try attending one the next time you're at a conference.

Here are some other "FREE" ways you can help release your students' cell phones from jail:

• Todays Meet (todaysmeet.com) - Enables discussion and empowers student voice! Great for facilitating discussions possibly while students are doing a silent reading activity or even while you're giving a lecture. 
• Padlet (padlet.com) - Allows students to collaborate and express their ideas about a common topic. Great for use in any subject.
• Kahoot! (kahoot.it) - Game based learning; great way to poll your class, give quizzes and play a game with immediate feedback. 
• Train the how to use their device responsibly and explain why. Allow THEM to set the norms and consequences for stepping outside of these boundaries as you assure them that your duty is to provide opportunities for usage. Trusting them, builds their trust in you!

These are just a few to get your started. I even heard of an experiment where students were measuring the height of different balls using a measuring stick. The problem was that the ball was bouncing too fast and they couldn't accurately read the height on the stick. The teacher had the students pull out their devices and use their video recorder to capture the process. Then she had them play back using the slow motion feature to capture a more accurate reading. What a powerful method of engagement, collaboration and integration! 

Kudos for that teacher; but you ARE that teacher! You are the one who uses technology everyday just like your students; not only that but you know what learning they're accountable for. So you are in the best position to train them to use their technology responsibly. Every meeting I go to, when I'm sitting in church, and when I'm driving, I'm challenged with the task of using my technology responsibly. Why not give your students a chance to practice, in class, a discipline they must already utilize in real life! 

Free their cell phone!