Using+Innovative+Technology+in+the+Classroom

=__Using Cell Phones as a Test Review__= Rationale: The rationale for this project was based on teacher observations. Most teachers use some sort of review game to review for a test (ie: Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, etc). However, when doing those games, it’s extremely possible that not all students participate. In fact, usually the strongest students are the “captains” and answer all the questions. The teacher is left wondering if all students truly are prepared. By using cell phones to conduct classroom reviews, all students can give their answers anonymously, allowing for a more complete classroom picture to develop.

1. A Brief Description of the Lesson Plan
This lesson is used at the end of a unit when a test is coming up. This could be considered the review day for the test. The teacher needs to select appropriate multiple choice questions that they’ll use to judge if students are prepared for the test or not. They will then load these onto the PowerPoints that the website ([|www.polleverywhere.com]) provides. Students will then answer these questions using their cell phones and the teacher will be able to know in real time what material students are secure in, and what they need additional help in.

2. Technology and Resources Involved
Students will need a cell phone that can send and receive text messages. Ideally, they would have an unlimited plan, because standard rates do apply. The teacher needs to have a projector hooked up to a computer, Internet access, and PowerPoint on their computers. In order to show the results of the cell phone responses, an embedded PowerPoint slide comes with the website and its use. The teacher displays that through their projector and you get instant results.

3. What Skills, Knowledge, and Pedagogy Are Required of Teachers
The teacher needs to be able to input the questions that they want answered into the real-time PowerPoint. To do this, they sign up for an account on the website. They then download the template and enter in their specific questions and possible answers. The PowerPoint has a demonstration or instructions slide that will show the students how the process works. It’s recommended that the teacher be familiar with this in advance.

4. What Prior Skills and Knowledge is Required of the Students
In order for an accurate assessment to be completed, the students need to have a firm understanding of the material. After all, this is a test review. They also need to be familiar with sending text messages. If students do not have a cell phone capable of sending text messages, they can pair up with another student.

5. What are the Students Asked to Do
The students will be asked to prove their knowledge of the material that is coming up on the test. They will see the review question on the projected screen. Looking at the possible choices, they will select the best response. They will then text in their answer to the website. In order to do this, on the screen it will tell them what where to send the text (essentially what phone number) and in the text, they mark their choice (A, B, C, D, etc). This should give them a good handle on if they are prepared for the test.

6. What are the Procedures of the Project
The first time the students use this feature, it may take some teaching. The instructor may have to point out the number to text your answers to and help with any troubleshooting. Other than that, most of the preparation is on the teacher to think of good questions and input them into the PowerPoint templates.

7. What are the Advantages of the Project
The main advantage of the assignment is that it creates a hook for the students, they want to participate. Some students, during a review, will just sit there and let others do the work. For the teacher, it’s a great way to have a formative assessment, and the teacher is able to permanently save the work (results) so they know what areas need re-teaching.

8. What are the Disadvantages of the Project
With using cell phones, it’s possible that not all students have access to one. Some students also find the process distracting.

9. What Types of Effective Instructional Strategies are Used
If students paired up to complete the assignment, a think-pair-share could occur. Students could teach students areas where one is weak and the other is strong. Also, buy in from the students is important and by using the cell phones, each student can feel comfortable answering the question, because the responses are only displayed as an aggregate. That helps them be more comfortable in the environment and more open to actually try without fear of failure.

10. Possibilities of Transferring to Other Content
The possibility of transferring this assignment to other content is extremely high! Most (if not all) content teachers do some type of test review before the test. If a teacher is willing to learn what is required to use cell phones in their classroom, chances are good that the lesson would transfer well.

=__Using Cell Phones as a aide in Classroom Brainstorming__= Rationale: In a Language Arts class, or any class really that requires a paper to be written, one of first places to start is with a brainstorming activity. Some students feel this is unnecessary and tend not to put much stock into it. However, most teachers could tell you that good papers start with good concepts or ideas. Brainstorming is the key to that. Students will be using cell phones to send in free form comments.

1. A Brief Description of the Lesson Plan
The teacher will in advance prepare a topic or concept that they want the students to write about, or discuss. Instead of a more traditional brainstorming, where you might write down everything you think of, or create a concept map, students will text in their ideas or answers to questions posed by the teacher. These answers will then pop up on the screen in real time. The teacher can expand on the discussion of particular answers, or re-direct the thoughts of the students depending on the answers that are appearing.

2. Technology and Resources Involved
Students will need a cell phone that can send and receive text messages. Ideally, they would have an unlimited plan, because standard rates do apply. The teacher needs to have a projector hooked up to a computer, Internet access, and PowerPoint on their computers. In order to show the results of the cell phone responses, an embedded PowerPoint slide comes with the website and its use. The teacher displays that through their projector and you get instant results.

3. What Skills, Knowledge, and Pedagogy Are Required of Teachers
The teacher needs to be able to input the questions that they want answered into the real-time PowerPoint. To do this, they sign up for an account on the website ([|www.wiffiti.com]). They then download the template and use that as their PowerPoint. The PowerPoint has a demonstration or instructions slide that will show the students how the process works. It’s recommended that the teacher be familiar with this in advance.

4. What Prior Skills and Knowledge is Required of the Students
In order for an accurate assessment to be completed, the students need to have a firm understanding of the material. After all, this is a test review. They also need to be familiar with sending text messages. If students do not have a cell phone capable of sending text messages, they can pair up with another student.

5. What are the Students Asked to Do
Students will be asked to respond to open ended questions. Instead of raising their hand, or writing down the answer, they will respond using their cell phone. A class discussion could then ensue, and the student, by the end of the hour, should have a good grasp on the content and the angle that they want to use for their paper.

6. What are the Procedures of the Project
The first time the students use this feature, it may take some teaching. The instructor may have to point out the number to text your answers to and help with any troubleshooting. Other than that, most of the preparation is on the teacher to think of a good question and to keep the conversation that follows on track and relevant. It’s also important to notice that a good classroom discussion can take place in areas other than the teacher anticipated, so the teacher needs to be flexible to that.

7. What are the Advantages of the Project
The main advantage of the assignment is that it creates a hook for the students, they want to participate. Some students, during a brainstorming session or classroom discussion, will just sit there and let others do the work. For the teacher, it’s a great way to start a disalogue, and the teacher is able to permanently save the work (results) so they know what was said in the past.

8. What are the Disadvantages of the Project
With using cell phones, it’s possible that not all students have access to one. Some students also find the process distracting, and would rather work at their own pace.

9. What Types of Effective Instructional Strategies are Used
If students paired up to complete the assignment, a think-pair-share could occur. Students could teach students areas where one is weak and the other is strong. Also, buy in from the students is important and by using the cell phones, each student can feel comfortable answering the question, because the responses are only displayed as an aggregate. That helps them be more comfortable in the environment and more open to actually try without fear of failure. Compare/contrast could also be implemented in this setting.

10. Possibilities of Transferring to Other Content
The possibility of transferring this assignment to other content is extremely high! This could lead a class discussion in any content area. The teacher would need to be comfortable and shown how to use the wiffiti web page, but after that, it’s very similar to assignments in the classroom. I wouldn’t recommend using the cell phone every time, but it provides a great change of pace for the students, and actually gets them excited about doing the work!