Cell Phones in Learning? Yes

Although I understand and agree with all of the reasons for not allowing cell phones in class, I think cell phones in class would be beneficial for students and could be part of the next generation learning tool.  First, allow me to recognize the biggest problems with cell phones in class:

• They are a distraction to both teachers and other students' learning
• Cell phones can also be used to cheat on tests
• Not all students will have access to a cell phone
• Difficult to monitor what students are doing on their cell phone

However problematic cell phone in schools are, I think cell phone use in class could be used now and seems likely in the near future for a few reasons.

1. Technology is our future and it seems only a matter of time cell phone use will be encouraged in the classroom.  Many cell phones today are more of a computer than a phone.  I believe it makes sense to begin to incorporate the use of cell phones in class to help keep students interested and to make students aware of the capabilities of how they could use their cell phone for learning.  Instead of focusing on the distractions cell phones cause, maybe we should focus on how they could be used to benefit student learning.  For example, in its simplest form, a smart phone can be used to take notes or used as calculators in class.

2.Using cell phones in class could improve student excitement in the classroom.  I think many students would rather walk into a classroom knowing will be using their cell phone as a learning tool in class. For example, have students use their phone to answer a bell ringer, or take part in a test review that incorporates polleverywhere.com so teachers can see what part of the lesson is confusing and needs more attention. 

3. Since students and parents are four times more likely to respond to an text message compared to voice mail (HomeworkNOW.com), text messages from school could possibly bridge some of the gap between parent and teacher communications. Using a website like HomeworkNOW.com can send alerts, homework assignments, quizzes, notice of school functions in the form of a text to students who either missed a class or as a reminder for students. This can help make our schools "greener" by cutting down on the amount of paper we now see being used.

Yes, cell phones can be distracting and be used in malicious ways, but i believe they can be harnessed into learning tools instead.  I also believe cell phones in school will play a significant part in student learning in the future.

Resources:
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/117128/teachers--class-promotes-cell-phones-as-next-great-learning-tools
HomeworkNOW.com

Peer Review and Evaluation

     Peer review was interesting and filled with value.  I was very interested in seeing how other student teachers are progressing during this semester.  While reviewing another student teacher's video, I was focused on trying to discover techniques the student teacher was providing as well as ideas i could use in my classroom.  While reviewing the video, I was able to witness the student teacher as she interacted with her students on their level.  I am not sure I always do this. This helped me consciously think about teaching students to their level as I am teaching in class.
     As much as I was interested in seeing the progression of other student teachers, I also welcomed the criticism of my peer reviewer.  I wanted to see if my peer reviewer was able to find my faults as I know them and possibly give me ideas on how I could improve. He was able to make suggestions that I will add  to my lesson plans and teaching.  However, as much as I was interested in reviewing another student teacher's video and receiving feedback, I was not looking forward to evaluating the video.  
     Evaluating the teaching of another student teacher was a very difficult job for me.  I found the process of providing constructive criticism was somehow unfair of me knowing my own faults.  Yet, I was able to complete the assignment fairly and during the post video review discussion, I concentrated on the strengths of the student teacher while discussing some weaknesses as they relate to me.
     Even though I thought providing constructive criticism was difficult for me, I believe peer review was very valuable.  Not only do we see the progression of our classmates, we also get a greater understanding of the job of our university supervisor.  I believe by allowing me to become the supervisor for one class period has help me by understanding what the university supervisor is looking for in my teaching.
     The domain assessment contains peer review in order for student teachers get a greater understanding of being a teacher.  It is a way for student teachers to communicate strengths and weaknesses in each other while trying to find ways to help. I have not used peer review in my classroom but I think a great place to use this is in my computer class.  Starting this week, the students will begin to key letters and memos. In order to find errors, I could use peer review for the students to proofread another student's assignment before completion.  Many times a proofreader can find the easiest error to correct before submitting for a grade.