#RuralEdChat Archive
#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Tuesday January 12, 2016
Good evening, Tonight we'd like to discuss how cell phones have changed the landscape in your schools. Please join us.
I’m so excited for tonight’s topic because this is a big question & struggle for our school!
Hey Natalee! Yes! I think you are not alone!
Gary Bates, superintendent, Goodrich, Texas. Hello everyone.
Hi Gary. Welcome. Looking forward to the conversation
Welcome Gary! Glad to get another admin in here for this discussion! I’m admin & classroom in a small private school.
Please let us know what the current device policy is in your school/district/classroom to kick us off.
Good evening, So sorry I'm late. Getting ready for tomorrow.
Most Definitely! We are also a BYOD school, which adds to the complications.
Hello, Gary. So glad you are with us tonight.
That looks like a fantastic conference, Tammy. Looking forward to following along.
A1. Cell phones are not aloud to be used during the instructional day only if it is approved by an administrator.
Please remember to add to your tweets so we can all share in your brillance.
We are a 5-12 school where it is BYOD for the 9-12 students.
Our cell phone policy is use during school hours for educational purposes only w/ permission from teacher. We’re also BYOD
Hi I am Terry from a rural county in FL
A1: Cell phones or any other device is only allowed at teacher discretion and should be instructional in nature.
A1b: Students can use their phones between classes and during lunch at their discretion.
Hi I know you're excited and ready to head to
- Hello everyone from cold & wet MA -
I am hoping to convince my board that we may need to revisit our policy. If used the proper way it could be a useful tool.
Yes, ma'am. All packed, finally. goes to
- A1: from my experience it depends on the grade level of the student and rules of the building.
I don't really see this at my grade level
I had to fight for what we have, colleagues & other admin wanted complete ban.
Hey there amigos/amigas sorry I'm late to the Cell Phone party!
Q2 What do you envision a successful cell phone/device integration looking like?
Many educators that don't allow them also don't know how to properly use them as a resource beyond googling something.
I'm glad you made it home safely.
Glad you're here safe and sound, John!
Yes. I see a gap between the power and potential and the use or understanding of that.
A1: this also depends on the settings on the phone - most times regulated use in the classroom is much better than in secret.
A2: I think it would be similar to a true technology integration program. Wouldn't really matter who owns the device/phone.
Many focus on the phone aspect of the device when most of the time kids don't even use it for that purpose!
A2: I want the kids to learn to be responsible. When to use it and when to leave it alone. It’s an important life long skill!
A1 In the elem it is not to be used during the day. HS is different. Can use during passing time. In class, varies with Ts.
A2: Proper training of the teachers with consistency between classrooms. Student know and accept the "Norms".
So True- texting, apps, browsing. It’s amazing what they’re able to do with them!
A2 I'm much more comfortable encouraging the use of devices vs policing them.
IMO the problem w/ cell phones is same as . We don't teach proper use yet complain when it isn't used appropriately
Yes! Exactly. https://t.co/1TjVVhdCFy
IMO the problem w/ cell phones is same as . We don't teach proper use yet complain when it isn't used appropriately
A2. By being a tool that students and teachers can learn from. Closing that gap especially w/ our kinesthetic learners.
Training/PD is key. How do we get to norms when there are varying levels of comfort with devices?
Most are still learning about "app smashing" and thinking outside of the textbook.
. We should encourage T "play days". I'm going to start one for at .
Send more teachers to or other tech conferences, not just the "computer teacher".
Go on a QR code scavenger hunt around campus for students to review
I'm a proponent of conf attendance as team. More likely to bring change home & make last
U have all the fun @ ! Gr8 idea 4 raising comfort level. Set aside time 2 xplore
Me, Too! I don’t want to spend my time being the phone police! Why I pushed to allow Ss to have them.
Acceptance is the first step to moving beyond the policing for sure.
I think about/look at how adults use them in work and conference settings- able to use as tool or put aside, or distraction?
A2 I think involving students in conversations about how to harness the power is key.
Had a school once that wanted me to look at cell phone blockers. Told them the FCC would be mad.
what about tweeting exit tickets/reflections, blogging, dictionary, real world applications newest data in the field
I see the cell/device similar to a game we may have open in the background. We must teach all involved to use responsibly.
Social Media is usually outside the school day. How to balance w/o overstepping our educational reach is tricky.
Q3 What IS working with personal devices in your settings?
. We keep talking at Ss instead of involving them in real learning opps like this. You're on the right track.
- most students can do what they do on the desktop computers in the classroom as well as their phone.
What if we are using it to reach experts for primary source conversations with our students?
right. I think having Ss search for examples of other places using phones in powerful ways might help.
A3. Giving our teachers & students ownership on the norms of cell phone use.
Exactly. We have to teach proper use of ANY device.
A3: Allowing cell phones for ed use is helpful in BYOD environ. for Ss who don’t have laptop or tablet but do have phone.
A3 - utilizing ones own device helps with budget concerns - gets the classroom closer to 1to1 ratio.
A3 I've had a lot of success simply asking for shifts in attention when I need them.
. True. Yet NH mandates we investigate claims of cyberbullying in or out of sch. Would rather act than react.
A3: I’m coteaching a research class that requires students to do interviews. Helpful when they can make call to set up!
A3: Ss use their own devices to upload pictures of their sketchnotes so I don't have to haul paper everywhere.
- an iPhone is probably better technology to access the world than the computers in the room -
A3 in the past SS and Ts tweeted what they did that day using an original hashtag
hip hip hooray on a little less paper!
That's awesome! https://t.co/qRZfqoj0zr
A3 in the past SS and Ts tweeted what they did that day using an original hashtag
Yes. There is so much potential with edu use of twitter. Ss are still fairly unaware of that.
Tonight’s topic is important, but I’m having trouble keeping up: tired, laggy Tweetdeck, and out of practice with chats!
Hey people in Eastern WA! Consider doing . Looks like they are really tackling issues I don't see as a city mouse.
A3 phones are a great tool for organization: calendars notes reminders photo the board and samples
Q4 How equitable is access to devices in your schools? Do students who don't have a phone struggle?
Agree. No level of bullying is to be tolerated. I am fortunate that my district has minimal events of this nature.
I hate to cut this short. I have truly enjoyed the chat. Wishing everyone a safe & productive week.😊
A4: The majority of my Ss do have a phone of some sort. I also have a classroom tablet for all to use if needed.
A4:have only 1 student who doesn’t have anything at all. Cell phone, but not smart phone, just lost computer privileges.
Good night! Glad you chimed in!
A4: The bigger issue is getting Ss to use their device for actual learning. Still seen as a SM conduit only.
. Thankfully ours as well! I am working to educate my Admins & Board on what we could/should do to help our Ss here.
A4: We have 1:1 ChromeBooks (Gr. 4-12) with some available for daily student checkout for those without.
. We would love to have you & join us for any time!
Another issue is getting Ss to try new apps. They want to stick with "tried and true". I want them to be creative.
Has anyone in used with Ss and their cell phones?
Does having a 1:1 environment shift how students use their other devices?
. I've seen that many of ours use both - one to research, one to compose.
No, but some are starting to realize they can use their school google acct on their phones & our wifi.
And in a BYOD or w/phones, Ss are reluctant or not allowed to download apps
yes. many rely on their phones for access Google Classroom updates, etc.
Especially if it has even the smallest pricetag.
Ss are still on their phones! We have only 1 lab in school now for our K-3's.
Apple devices link. Can text from your tablet or laptop. Ran into this issue just recently with Ss texting during day.
There are tons of texting apps. Ss will download those apps.
I think its a question of expectations. If the Ts don't expect cell phones to be used for learning they won't be.
Q5 What are your favorite strategies for encouraging good use of cell phones?
Best way to encourage best use? Model it!
A5: I let Ss charge them face down. Ss that don't focus on task at hand are reminded/encourged to refocus.
Ss see me take out my bluetooth ear piece. They see my phone face down. If I need to pick it up, I tell them why I'm using it.
-A5: Student responsibility is important but teacher engagement will help curb mis-use -
Inappropriate cell use is just like any other classroom management issue. Keep them engaged, they won't have time to stray.
A5 you always have to monitor don't assume they are using it for good make them accountable
I do same (except do use a bluetooth ear piece). I need to take calls during the day for dr. appointments.
-A5:Give the device a job-if the student is actively engaged in the lesson utilizing the device the less likely it improperly
I'm in a diff place as an Admin & Tech Dir as I have my phone all the time. I try to be sure that folks see how & why I use it.
Q5: What other questions or thoughts do you have regarding cell phones & school?
A6: I wonder how long it will be until we stop trying to control the students into learning and start leading them to learn.
Good Question! https://t.co/XOdPrKojQM
A6: I wonder how long it will be until we stop trying to control the students into learning and start leading them to learn.
We don't have "paper policies" why should we continue to have "cell phone policies"?
A6: it's all about comfort level of the teacher - start small with integration - expand the use by your own comfort level.
A6: For all our teachers & admin, we tech is new. Not for our students! THey’ve always had it. Different mindsets.
- Thank you for having me tonight - it's great to expand my knowledge through different PLC's. Take care.
I find it silly to say here's our 1-1 environment but don't use your identical personal device.
. They are comfortable w/ tech, not afraid to push buttons. We're know outcomes. Bring them together!
That’s a good way to think about it.
