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= Using Cell Phones in the Classroom =

Reference Information
Jason Hitsman is a science teacher at Beaverton HS in Beaverton, MI. He graduated from SVSU with an education degree and began his teaching career at Alpena High School. He moved to Beaverton HS, where he’s been teaching science since. Hitsman was my chemistry teacher when I was a student in Beaverton. Recently, I ran into him as we were both presenters at a technology conference in October 2010 for all Midland County schools. I attended his session on using cell phones, and have spoken with him on the topic since then.

A Brief Description of the Case
Hitsman uses cell phones in his classroom as a way to hook the students into the lesson. He creates brainstorming ideas, and formative assessments using cell phones for students to text their answers in. Using the websites listed below, a graph or chart is then constantly updated providing feedback about the lesson according to how the students respond to the questions.

The Purpose of the Technology
Cell phones, as they stand now, are generally communication devices. They can send and receive phone calls, text messages, and Smart Phones can be used as mini-computers, accessing the Internet and controlling various applications. In the classroom, the purpose of cell phones is to aid in the discussion of ideas, as well as provide quick formative assessments.

The Technology and the 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.

What Prior Skills and Knowledge Are Required of Students
Students need to know how to send and receive text messages. The teacher needs to be able to use PowerPoint proficiently. In terms of the content, students have to be able to answer questions and follow the directions on the projector screen as indicated.

What are Students Asked to Accomplish Exactly
Students use the cell phones to aid in the discussion of class topics. For example, a brainstorming exercise, students can type in their free form responses, and they will pop up on the screen, much like VH1’s Pop Up Video. The entries are displayed anonymously, and students are given pseudo-screen names generated by the company. The brainstorming exercise gets students participating in class more than a typical brainstorming session, because of the hook of using a cell phone, as well as the ability to post anonymously. Another idea that can be used with cell phones in the classroom is to check for understanding using quick formative assessments. The teacher can display a question on the screen, and students will text their responses in. A real time graph displays the answers, allowing a teacher to know quickly and easily whether students “get it” or not.

What are the Procedures of the Project
Students are to have their cell phones off and on the corner of their desk before the exercise begins. If students do not have a cell phone, then they pair with a student who does. Phones are only used for instructional purposes. After the activity is completed, students shut their phones off and return them to the corner of their desk. When actually doing the project, students will see a number displayed on the screen to where they are supposed to text in their responses. They simply send a text to that number, indicating what they think the correct response is if it’s a multiple choice answer, or typing in their response if it’s more of a brainstorming activity.

What are the Advantages of the Project
By using cell phones in the classroom, students give more buy in to the assignment, and participate better. There is a chance for every student’s voice to be heard, and the brainstorming is more orderly (no shouting). The teacher can also easily save all the results, which keeps a permanent record of the ideas generated.

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.

What types of Effective Instructional Strategies are Included
The two main types of instructional strategies used with using cell phones in the classroom are brainstorming and formative assessment.

Possibilities of Transferring to Other Content
The possibility for transferring the use of cell phones to other content areas is extremely high. A teacher who is versed in technology can easily incorporate the use of cell phones into their classrooms.

Resources/Articles
[|http://www.polleverywhere.com] [|http://wiffiti.com] Kolb, Liz. //Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education//. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education, 2008. Print. []

= Clickers in the Classroom =

Reference Information
This article is written by Margie Martyn. It is titled: //Clickers in the Classroom: An Active Learning Approach// It was printed in EDUCAUSE Magazine in 2007. You can access it here: []

A Brief Description
Classroom Response Systems, or more commonly referred to as “Clickers” are hand held devices which allow students to enter in responses to various questions provided by the teacher.

Purpose of the Innovation
The purpose of the innovation is to allow teachers more flexibility in their teaching styles. It allows for rapid answering (and grading) of questions to ensure mastery. It also is a way to engage students in the material, and help them know whether they’ve mastered the content or not.

The Technology and Resources Involved
Teachers will need a computer, projector, and screen to go with the clickers.

What Prior Skills and Knowledge is Needed
Teachers must be able to use the software and technology that comes with the clickers. They also must be able to edit PowerPoint slides to show their questions up on the screen.

What are Students Asked to Accomplish
Students are asked to answer a variety of questions and submit their responses using the clickers. Depending on the how the questions are answered, the instruction may change.

What Are the Procedures of the Project
Teachers typically get software that comes with the clickers that allows them to create PowerPoints that are interactive. A question will appear on the screen, and students will answer. As the students are answering, the graph will change showing the results. From there, the lesson can be altered depending on the results.

What are the Advantages
The advantages are that by using clickers, teachers can quickly get results to formative assessments, which allow them to know if the students understand the material. Other advantages is that it might engage students more than a regular assignment, and it can also be used for attendance.

What are the Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages of using clickers in the classroom is that they are pretty expensive comparatively speaking. A classroom set would normally cost several hundred dollars. To outfit an entire school would be a significant investment. Also, cheating is more prevalent by using clickers, so any type of formal assessment would be discouraged.

What Types of Effective Instructional Strategies are Included
There are several types of strategies that can be used while utilizing clickers. For example, a teacher can review for a test. Teachers can check for understanding throughout a lecture. Also, teachers can design the questions so that they are not simply recall, but require the students to use higher order thinking skills.

What is the Possibility of Transferring to Other Contents
Using clickers in the classroom is very easy to transfer to every content area. Students should feel comfortable using them no matter what subject. The main premise is students answering multiple choice questions, which can be designed within any content.

Resources/Referencess
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