Grade Level Expectations- Communication Arts Information Literacy 1B- Locate and use multiple primary and secondary sources; select relevant and credible information AASL Standard 1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry. 1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly. 1.4.2 Use interaction with and feedback from teachers and peers to guide own inquiry process. 2.1.2 Organize knowledge so that it is useful. 2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information. 2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world. 3.1.1 Conclude an inquiry based research process by sharing new understandings and reflecting on the learning. 3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view , use, and assess. 3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly. 3.4.1 Assess the process by which learning was achieved in order to revise strategies and learn more effectively in the future. 3.4.2 Assess the quality and effectiveness of the learning product. 4.2.1 Display curiosity by pursuing interests through multiple resources.4.3.2 Recognize that resources are created for a variety of purposes.4.3.4 Practice safe and ethical behaviors in personal electronic communication and interaction.
If you are wondering what a smart phone is you’re a probably not alone. A smart phone is a device that lets you make phone calls, but it also adds the features that you might find on a computer. A smart phone has the ability to send and receive e-mails, download information and edit documents.
Other definitions might include features such as e-book reader capabilities, Wi-Fi, and/or A built-in full keyboard. In other words, it is a miniature computer that has phone capabilities.
Over 45.5 million people in the U.S. own smart phones and it’s the fastest growing segment of the Mobile phone market, which is compromised of 234 million subscribers in the United States.
Many times children have phones for a multitude of reasons. Into days world as parents and children’s lives get very busy cell phones are a matter of convince when it comes to getting them for children at this age. Many times it is for safety reasons because children at younger ages are spending time at after school activities.
In a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project report, American Life Project report, Americans picked cell phones as the technology they can least go without.
Technology has changed our lives and we can’t imagine a world anymore without cell phones. Cell phones have become an important part of our everyday lives, because it makes our lives easier and much more convenient. Most everyone uses a cell phone nowadays for a variety of task. It not only lets you make a phone call, but you can use it also to send text messages, taking pictures, playing games, listening to the radio and you can even access the internet to find out information. Cell phones have changed our lifestyles and can be considered as one of the most essential needs for every day living.
In today's schools they now spend hundreds of millions of dollars on computers to provide an average of one computer for every three students, at a cost of $1000.00 a year for each machine. In most classroom today the teacher has one student computer that students can use. Teachers are using computers more than ever before for everything from instruction to handling administrative tasks and communicating with parents. With states and school districts asking for measurable results, educators are increasing their technology plan for their students. How can this be done if we cannot afford enough computers for the students to increase their technology skills?
Should the administration be asking how are we going to keep our students technology needs. Schools all around are suffering from major budget cuts and technology departments all around are taking drastic reductions in what funds they have available for purchasing new equipment. One of the best reasons for switching to mobile technologies in education is the cost compared with that of other equipment, such as personal computers. These affordable devices could overcome the access barrier that is limiting the impact of technology on teaching and learning.
The question teachers, administrators, school leaders should be asking is how can we use this mobile device to engage students and help them develop the skill as well as the knowledge to become a part of digital technology. Technology is changing everyday and will our students be able to keep up if we as educators keep fighting the change.
As we look at our technology plan and curriculum are we meeting the expectations of our students. Are we engaging them in learning? Are we motivating them to learn and be a part of their education? The first thing that needs to be done for change is changing educators and societies view on the smart phone. The smart phone is more than a phone it is a learning tool. Once educators start to define the smart phone as a learning tool, it will be easier for then to start thinking about learning activities in or outside of schools with these phone.
If teachers start thinking of the possibilities for the use of these phones for their students by modeling educative and professional uses at time in their K-12 learning, than when the student enters the workforce, they may be able to be more competitive with students from other countries who are already using them as professional tools.
When we step back and look at what we expect and ask or ourselves as educators are we meeting these needs. How can we stop fighting this new world and be a part of it?
To be an active educator in the 21 st century we as teacher need to no longer sit back and watch the changes pass us by. To realize the benefits of technology, schools must develop a plan for integrating technology into the curriculum.
Most students have smart phones. Around 76 percent of students have a cell phone. Student mobile skills are important in the future workforce. The above list is the benefits that show how effective smart phones are when engaging the student and motivating them to learn. This social toy is turning into a learning tool.
Cell phones can be used outside and inside the classroom. They are a 24/7 learning device. For each class and course, teachers may develop some websites for smartphones that can be useful for their students. On these sites, students can register, logon, and then have access to their courses. Teachers can add there some class notifications, notes and others. The usage of smartphones in education has no limits. There are several ways in which smartphones can help the education to do its job and nowadays technology is often used by students because their teachers use it too and there is no other way to understand the education than following your teacher's example.
This is a great new tool to help students read more. Struggling or reluctant readers, learning challenged, second language learners, even gifted readers can all benefit from audio books. An audio book is a recording that is primary spoken words. It is often based on recordings that can be downloaded and listen to by users.
Students can use google earth to explore topics like the progress of human civilization, the growth of cities, the natural environment, the impact of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Using Google SketchUp and historic overlays, students can recreate entire ancient cities. The only limit to Google Earth's classroom uses is your imagination.
With the Internet at your fingertips students can access any web browser to look up anything on the Internet. The Internet provides students with an enormous amount of information. The available material, programs, websites and other services of the internet are multiplied every day, revolutionizing the technology being used. Its applications grow exponentially and it would be impossible to outline everything in this booklet. The most important aspect of the Internet evolution however, is that its exponential growth allows it to ease and transform people’s life and increase their knowledge.
Google Calendar is a free application provided by Google. This application will help the student get organized. Students will be able to view schedules and share them with others. Google has created a mobile version of google calendar that made it small enough to view it on a smart phone. Students will be able to organize their daily class schedule, assignments and access this application from any computer.
A podcast is like a radio show. However, instead of being broadcast live, a podcast is recorded and then distributed over the internet, so that you can listen to it whenever you please. There are thousands of podcasts available, ranging from general interest entertainment shows to those which focus on specific topics. Podcasting is a wonderful way of allowing children to share their work and experiences with a potentially huge audience over the Internet. Schools are increasingly using the internet to promote what they do, and to celebrate the achievements of their children, and podcasting is an excellent way of doing this
Because technology continues to play an important role in the way our students will develop as a productive person in society, it is up to us as educators to embrace change and be apart of it. Schools that effectively use technology will be ready for the 21 st . Century by using tools we have right in our hands. Smart phones are just the beginning.
