Journal 4

“From Toy to Tool”
By Liz Kolb

Cell phones in the classroom are typically problematic because they can interrupt class and distract students. However, this article provides information on how cell phones can be positively used as learning tools. The article is an interesting read and describes audioblogging with cell phones. Basically, students and teachers can create an account with a website like Gabcast.com, which will allow them to record conversations on their cell phones and automatically post them on their blog. An example of how this application could be used is provided in the article. Teachers could ask students to interview someone outside of class and have the students record and post the interviews using only their cell phones. This technology could help reduce the need of expensive resources such as microphones, tape recorders, or digital recorders. Students could then edit their audioblogs by adding text or pictures. Concerns with audioblogging include privacy issues, copyright issues, and cost issues. Nevertheless, audioblogging is a free resource with great potential for the classroom. Furthermore, it connects technologies students use daily to meaningful classroom learning.

1)How could I use the technology in my classroom?
As a future math teacher, I doubt that I would have my students interview someone outside of class. However, I could use audioblogs to post specific segments of my lectures. This would allow students who were sick to hear the lecture they were missing on the same day. This same idea could also allow students to get additional help at home because they could review parts of the classroom lecture while doing homework.

2)How will cell phone audioblogs impact schools?
I am not sure how significant of an impact audioblogs from cell phones will have in school. I do think the technology is interesting and could potentially have many uses in the classroom. In my opinion, the technology mentioned in this article is a good idea that could become a great idea with time and tweaking.