Locate an article about using handheld devices such as tablets (ie. ipads,nook), cell phones, and ipods for education. Summarize 3 keypoints from the article. Next, describe how you would use these devices in the library. Don’t forget to include a reference for the article at the end of your post.
Hang up and learn: Cell phones in the science classroom by Luckwing, Christmann, and Wighting is a very interesting article that discusses possible uses of smart phones in middle school science classrooms. The authors poignantly quote Bill Gates saying, “cell phones, not laptop computers, hold the promise for the spread of one-to-one computing” (Luckwing, Christmann, Wighting 2010 p. 82). Luckwing, Christmann, and Wighting make three main points throughout their article “Hang up and learn: Cell phones in the science classroom.” Firstly, the argument is made that most middle school and high school students have a cell phone already, so teachers should use this resource as a way to further integrate technology into the classroom. For example, most students have cell phones with text messaging capabilities. Online services such as www.textforfree.com allow subscribers to send text messages to cell phone numbers from any provider for free. Teachers can utilize programs like this to send students text message reminders of important assignments. Secondly, this article describes how downloadable cell phone applications can be used to enhance curriculum instruction. Examples that Luckwin, Christmass, and Wighting provide include applications such as Evernote, eReader apps, and Dynolicious. EReader applications can be used in the classroom for students to download book resources, often free of cost. Other applications can be incorporated to help students gain organizational skills, conduct internet queries, and sync information with other classmates. Lastly, Luckwing, Christmann, and Wighting make the key point that there will be skepticism when teachers try to incorporate cell phone use into teaching. The authors argue against this by pointing out that when new technologies were brought into schools, they too had to go through similar tests of practicality and efficiency. “Hang up and learn: Cell phones in the science classroom” ends by simply stating, “Since we own [cell phones] let’s put them to work” (Luckwing, Christmann, and Wighting 2010 pg. 85).
After reading this article, the uses for cell phones for instruction seem limitless. As a librarian cell phones could be used in several ways. Since librarians do not get to meet with all classes on a regular basis, cell phones as a means of mass communication would be very beneficial. For example, the librarian could send a mass text message to remind students when a special programming event is going on in the library. Maybe in the future, text message notifications for overdue books and fines will be commonplace. Another way to use cell phones in the library would be for librarians to do book-talks geared toward eBooks that students can access for free through downloadable applications. Librarians could also collaborate with subject area teachers to show them subject specific apps. Librarians could show a Math teacher, for example, how to download a scientific calculator app that students can use. The use of cell phones in the library and the classroom are only limited by our own creativity.
Lucking B., Christmann, E., Wighting, M., (2010). Hang up and learn: Cell phones in the science classroom. Science Scope, 33(9), 82-85.
