Journal #4

From Toy to Tool by Liz Kolb

This article is proposing a new and technological way of learning in the classroom; that is using the most used everyday tool: the cell phone. Though most schools are banning cell phone use during school hours, this proposal as using this "toy as a tool" could possibly be effective in the classroom. Students will be using cell phones in place of tape recorders or digital recorders for interviews for school projects (they call this Audio blogging). Or if a student finds something while being out shopping or out hanging out with friends, they can use their cell phones conveniently to take a picture for their class project and send it straight to their website for future reference. It is a really interesting device to use since it is a common technology tool in this modern day.

How is "audioblogging" effective to the classroom?
I think audioblogging provides a more convenient way of using an everday tool to help children connect to the world and other places they have never been. By using the cell phone as a tape recorder, digital recorder, or camera, children will be able to have fun learning about different things outside of the classroom and learn how to communicate with each other. Once they are able to use this tool in the classroom (for project purposes, etc..), they are able to use it effectively in any part of their lives. It integrates technology as part of the classroom lesson.

What are some ways of implementing this tool in the classroom?
Well I think doing small interviews around the classroom would be fun; for example, students will do an icebreaker project on the first day of school by pairing up with at least 3 different peers and using their cell phone as a tape recorder. They will then interview them- asking them what their culture is, favorite sport, etc.
I would also have them use their camera in their cell phone to take pictures for a scavenger hunt assignment. I believe there will be infinite amount of activities to do with their cell phone!