Presentations about the uses of cell phones to support learning both inside and outside the traditional classroom have been popular as well as contentious at educational technology conferences in the past year. I first become aware of the wide variety of constructive ways cell phones can be used to support learning through Liz Kolb's presentation for the 2007 K-12 Online Conference, "Cell Phones as Classroom Learning Tools." Liz is the author of the blog "From Toy to Tool: Cell Phones in Learning," and published the book "Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education" with ISTE in 2008. This past week, at the eTechOhio conference in Columbus, I heard Ohio technology director Ryan Collins' outstanding presentation "Cellphones in the classroom? Yes way!" In his session Ryan identified seven different ways cell phones can and are being used to support learning:
I met Lori at a conference in Columbus. She was doing a workshop that was part of a conference I attended. She gave so many awesome tips and tricks. I try to check back at her site at least once a month because she always has new stuff.
I like carrying them around, folding down the corner of the pages to mark my spot, and the way they look stacked on my nightstand. Sorry Kindle, Nook, and iPad... I'm just not that into you
Thank you for sharing her site! She mentioned something called Chatzy and it might be the perfect solution for a communication challenge I have at work each day. I hope it can be past the school's security.