I
have toyed with the idea of using cell phones for student project more
than once in my educational career. In the past, I used to allow
students to use the cameras for video projects but with our district’s
no tolerance cell phone policy, I have stopped doing this. I
interviewed Rita Chuhran, a former history teacher and technology
integration specialist, about her past experiences using cell phones in
the classroom.
Rita recently did a review game with QR codes. Rita created questions
online and then linked the questions to QR codes. Rita placed the QR
codes around the building and outside in our courtyard. The QR codes
were then accessed by the students using cell phones. The students
paired up, scanned the codes with their phones, and then answered the
questions in their notebooks.
Our
school does not allow cell phones, so Rita discussed the project with
principal and he agreed to an exception. Since they were seniors, she
neither asked parents, nor discussed with them. She simply made them
aware that the activity would use some of their data plan. No parents
seemed concerned with this idea. The principal was supportive despite
the general policy. The one technical challenge was that she wanted to
do the activity to get them outside in the spring, but it was hard to
read cell phone screens outside in the bright sun. Feedback from
students was good. They enjoyed being able to move around in order to
complete what is otherwise a fairly boring and straightforward activity.
Rita had done essentially the same thing in the past with review
packets and students were much less engaged in the answering of the
questions. It worked well. Rita was particularly happy with the way
students were engaged in the project.
I
would be willing to try a project like this in my classroom. I can see
how students would be more excited and more engaged. I think this
could also be a really great way to get ym Ecology kids out in the
field. I could set up stations with research and directions linked to
QR codes. Then the kids could be working in different stations and not
need me to be with every group at the same time. It would also be a fun
way to create a scavenger hunt style review or activity. I would
really be interested in giving this a try if my principal would be
willing to make more exceptions. Below you will find a link to Rita’s
Teaching with Technology Blog. She has a lot of really great resources
for teacher and has set them all up with easy direction to help get
people started.
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