Using Cellphones in the Classroom

Cellphones have become a huge part of life today. We have access to these mini computers all of the time, everywhere we go. I know that I am constantly asking friends and family, "Do you have your phone?" This is more than true for the youth of today. They do not remember what life was like before cellphones. They will never experience some of the painstaking problems that the generations before them had to face without having a cellphone in their possession. Students today sometimes act as though they cannot function without their cellphones.

These students act as though an appendage has been removed if their phone is taken away. They NEED their phones for everything - information, music, entertainment, and social interaction. Can teachers find a way to use their cellphones in the lessons being presented? Can they develop a lesson that will allow the phone to become a part of education today? I believe that this can be done. I believe that students will appreciate it. Teachers will appreciate it as well. No longer will the line of the day be "please put your cellphones away." It will become "please take your cellphones out so that we can begin our lesson."

Districts around the country are instituting BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs and policies. These programs are allowing all classrooms to have access to more information. These programs also save time and money for the district. The students are already familiar with their personal devices so time is saved because no technology training is necessary. Money is saved because technology does not have to be purchased. The students are bringing devices that they already own.

There are so many ways to engage students through their cellphones. Currently, I use Edmodo in my classroom. I equate it to the educational version of Facebook. My students can download the Edmodo app and have be involved in my classroom experience before they step through my door.

I also began using Remind for my students. This is a great application that students can download so that we can safely communicate. I use remind to send students messages about due dates, tests, something interesting that will be airing on television, and also for field trip notifications – “bus is here!”

I was recently introduced to a great app that I used on a field trip called Goosechase. Essentially, it is a scavenger hunt app that we used educationally. We organized an architectural tour through Philadelphia and wanted to make sure that students stayed engaged throughout the walking tour. We organized clues with the tour guide and students had to snap pictures that matched the clues along our route. Each picture earned the students points for the scavenger hunt. Everyone had fun with it! We will definitely be using it again.

Interested in using cellphones in your classroom? Check out 33 Interesting Ways to Use Mobile Phones in the Classroom and 44 Smart Ways to Use Smartphones in Class.