Group+8

Add your thoughts to this wiki, reflecting on mobile phones in education .You are welcome to put on and take off a new colour hat as your reflect on different issues and perspectives!

De Bono's Hats
If you are unfamiliar with de Bono's six thinking hats, [|visit][|Volunteering Australia] for a reso urce on the topic. Then edit the table provided as scaffolding, add your ideas, opinions, and where possible your research. How will a collation of diverse perspectives from 19 different people inform your thinking? How could you use this in your classroom?


 * ==Colour Hat== || ==Names of students adding ideas== || ==The colour perspective== || ==Your ideas, research, perspectives and arguments== ||
 * [[image:black.jpg]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Hannah Jamieson

Emilia Heaney

Cassie Williams

Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**Judgement:**// What is wrong with this? Why will this not work? Is this safe? Can this be done? || Mobile Phones within the classroom must be monitored carefully in order to be successfully used in everyday classroom activities. With the implementation of mobile phones, the increase of distractions may become evident throughout learning experiences. As social media can be simply accessed by the click of a button participation in classroom activities may be lowered and knowledge and understandings of the topic being taught may not be gained. However, if teachers were to implement mobile phones a system must be made where students are not able to access social media and other websites that can distract them from the learning experience.

Mobile phones have the capability to be used for many things. For example you can text and use Facebook with them. How will the teacher know if a student is on task while using their phone? If the process of using a phone during class was to be regulated, it could more than likely be implemented safely in class.

Mobile phones provide access to a massive amount of information which is beneficial for students, although mobile phones can also be a huge distraction. With social media such as Facebook being so readily accessible, it is important that mobile phone usage is monitored carefully by the teacher. Having mobile phones in the classroom can be a distraction to the students. A lot of teaching time could be wasted in ensuring the students are on task and listening rather then just being on their mobile phones. Mobiles phones in the classroom are a distracting object allowing students to be off task when they are supposed to be learning. As mobile phones are not restrictive in content, students can easily find content irrelevant to what they are learning. Mobile phones can also be an invasion of privacy. As most phones carried today have a camera, students can take photos of their peers or staff without consent. This could be seen as a form of bullying as photos can easily be uploaded to social media and spread. Also having mobile phones at school can form minority groups. Some students do not have access to mobile phones due to many reasons. Without having a mobile students can be seen as ‘out of the normal’ and again could lead to bullying issues. Mobile phones are an excellent tool in this day and age. The main issues with implementing them into classrooms is one: the supervision and management of students' task. the other issue I feel circulates around whether or not students in fact possess a mobile phone, limiting the ability to effectively implement them into pedagogical tasks.

Learners being distracted is the most prevalent risk associated with having a mobile phone within the classroom. Other factors to take into consideration is that a minority of students from low socio-economic backgrounds may not have the funds to own a mobile phone or parents who disallow their child to own a mobile phone because of their family values.

Although mobile phones are an essential tool in today's society, they are not however, a paramount tool to use in the classroom. The use of phones for educational purposes, only opens up a door for opportunities of misuse such as bullying, cheating and taking photos. If heavy monitoring and restrictions aren't applied, then the risk of losing the attention and achieving the intended learning outcomes is decreased drastically. Some families are opposed to the use of mobile phones in their household, due to their own self attitudes, values, beliefs, and social and religious backgrounds. This therefore singles out children who are unable to use the devises due to not knowing the skills to use it or personally not allowed to. The use of mobiles phones will only cause disruption to the learning environment when issues such as theft, breakages and cheating occur. ||
 * [[image:debonoshats/blue.jpg width="140" height="128"]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Hannah Jamieson

Emilia Heaney

Cassie Williams Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**The Process:**// Where are we now? What is the next step ? Where have we been? What sort of thinking is needed? || As we are now teachers of the twenty-first century, it is evident that technology is everywhere, even in the classroom. In most schools of today’s modern classroom the implementation of electronic devices such as iPods and iPads are used for the completion of activities within a number of learning experiences. As most teenagers have mobile phones it is time for teachers to adapt learning experiences that involve the use of mobile phones. Young people and students are addicted to their mobile phones. Students are on their phones all the time, using them for a lot of things not just social networking. In the past if students were given a research task they would use books and encyclopaedias, whereas now students are using their phones to research online.

Technology is an important part of today's society, so it is vital that technology is supported in the classroom to ensure students are prepared for a technology based future. Ipads, laptops, ipods and other devices are being used in the classroom now and students respond positively these technologies which is a positive reaction.

Technology is everywhere in schools, however phones in the classroom is not encouraged. As ICTs are being used more in classrooms than ever, including being embedded within the curriculum, schools need to incorporate ICT usage in a safe and restricted way. Instead of using mobiles phones as a source of information, schools need to invest in tablet/iPads, student laptops or other sources of ICTs. This way, students can be restricted to what content is shown and they are still actively engaged with the learning. Mobile phones can in fact be implemented in the classroom. they are an excellent way to give students agency in the completion of their tasks. Student guided learning would be the ideal area of implementation. In adopting this approach, greater classroom management is a priority.

Thinking through all the pros and cons of mobile phones in the classroom in terms of learning styles, student engagement, social practices and thinking of ways to control/direct usage within the classroom.

In society today, it is evident that the majority of students in high-school, own their own mobile phone. this is due to the fact that a phone requires the user to have some sort of responsibility. They also cost a lot of money (credit, plan, repairs, games, apps, accessories) and high school students are becoming old enough to get a part time job to sustain their technology addiction. It is becoming more prevalent that primary school students have their own mobile phones too. Here, there are becoming too exposed to the dangers of cyber bullying, pornography and words and situations they are too young to be exposed to. The skills and knowledge learnt from using these devises are necessary for the 21st century, however, previous ICT tools such as iPads, computers, laptops, tablets, iPods allow the learners to stay focused and activity engaged on the content being taught instead of fighting temptation. ||
 * [[image:green.jpg width="147" height="121"]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Hannah Jamieson

Cassie Williams Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**Creativity:**// What new ideas are possible with this? What is my suggestion for success? Can I create something new? || Implementing mobile phones within the classroom provides both teachers and students the opportunity to explore a whole new aspect of learning within a simple learning experience. Through the use of mobile phones the creation a collaborative learning environment can be made through classroom blogs. Along with staying in touch with classwork when away, mobile phones also give students the opportunity to become engaged with in their learning. It is found by many that students engage through technology as they find it fun and exciting.

For this process of using phones to be successful teachers would need create lessons to be very structured to ensure the phones are being used correctly.

By bringing phones into the classroom it opens up opportunities for new activities and lessons to be learnt.

Mobile phones could allow students to share ideas and work together. They could be used in place of ipads, laptops and computers and possibly save space and school funds.

Bringing phones into the classroom opens opportunities for technology to be use in the classroom, it also allows access to kick access to the internet for research purpose

By incorporating mobile phone use in the class, different learning experiences can be implemented. In the upper secondary years, students could create their own apps as a part of a technology course. In the lower years, students could use the apps already created as an interesting and new source of information. With the use of mobile phones, students can develop their procedural knowledge of being able to retrieve online information.

Students already multi-task using many forms of ICT in their everyday lives, they are digital natives therefore would benefit from the inclusion of any ICT that they regularly use - the Learning Manager will need to be technogically capable to design effective and engaging learning experiences that include mobile phones as a tool for learning in the classroom. However, it may be necessary to communicate and justify with some parents of the benefits of including this form of ICT in the classroom - mobile phones may be a cheaper alternative to ensuring each child has access to an ICT. Clear classroom guidelines for appropriate classroom use would also be necessary.

Mobile Phones allow for instant communication and the opportunities they provides are endless to our technology-driven world. The skills and knowledge learnt from using these devices is a vital part of living in our society. Learners will be equipped with skills and tools they will use in future jobs which is just as important as learning Pythagoras's Theorem or Trigonometry. In order for this to be successful, teachers need to heavily monitor and restriction on the devices to avoid or minimise inappropriate issue. The use of the devices would also promote students' creativity and allow them the power to make their own decisions about how they would like to learn to present their understandings. ||
 * [[image:debonoshats/red.jpg width="116" height="133"]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Hannah Jamieson

Emilia Heaney

Cassie Williams Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**Feelings:**// How do I feel about this? What do I like about the idea? What don't I like about the idea? || I personally like the idea of mobile phones being implemented into the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to explore the world through a single tap of the finger on their mobile device. Technology gives students the opportunity to explore the world around them, and gain knowledge and understanding of the world out side the classroom. If mobile phones were implemented it would be essential that teachers implement an effective strategy, in order to prevent distraction on inappropriate websites such as social media.

In my opinion, I think bring phones into the classroom could be very beneficial to the learning of students, as long as it was done in an appropriate and meaningful way. I like that using phones can create engagement, and an exciting way to learn. However I don’t like that when used the wrong way, phones can cause the students to be off task and disengaged.

Personally, i believe mobile phones would be very distracting in the classroom and with all of the other ICT's that are available, mobile phones are not needed. I do like the idea of having mobile phones in the classroom as internet access is readily available. I don't like the fact that students can access materials that don't benefit their education.

Phones in the classroom can be beneficial as it gives students access to the whole world. However, there is a time and a place. Students can be easily distracted with constant access to communication outside the classroom.

I personally believe the use of mobile phones has positive and negative elements. Mobiles are a great for communication, if a student is out of class they can be tracked or rung to see where they are. Also the use of mobiles would increase the modernisation of classrooms bringing them into the 21st century. However, mobile phones can be seen as a distraction and an easy way to cyber bully. Due to no restriction on content, students can easily lose attentiveness to their learning experience causing them to lose focus of their whole schooling. As well as this, having the camera tool on most cameras can increase the chances of students invading other people’s privacy and easily cyber bully due to being able to directly upload to social media. I feel that Mobile phones could definitely have their place in the classroom. that classroom would need to be very well managed, however.

Personally, I feel optimistic about the inclusion of mobile phones in the classroom. To me it is certainly not an alarming suggestion.

Although there are many negatives which follow the use of mobile phones in classrooms, there are also many benefits. Most children do not understand the importance of their educations until they reach senior years and therefore do not comprehend that the devises are for educational purposes only. As a teacher, the benefits and possibilities are endless and the possible learning outcomes are heightened with each thought.... Children on the other hand only see a small importance as it is just something they have to do everyday. They have far more important things in their life.... most of this revolves around technology and gaming. I wish I could say that I feel optimistic about the use of these devices for educational purposes, but I cannot shadow out the negatives which trail with the tools. ||
 * [[image:debonoshats/yellow.jpg width="117" height="128"]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Emilia Heaney

Hannah Jamieson

Cassie Williams Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**Benefits:**// What are the good points? Why can this be successful? Why is this a good thing? || There are a number of benefits that come from having mobile phones within the classroom. These include; students being able to stay in touch with their school work when they are away/sick, students are able to gain valuable knowledge and understanding from their peers through collaborative learning spaces and final students are able to gain and develop their tech savvy skills. As students in today’s modern world are quite tech savvy having the implementation of mobile devices embedded in the classroom provides students the opportunity to engage in learning that relates to them.

The future world is becoming based around technology more and more. By giving students the opportunity to become more comfortable and knowledgeable about phones and technology, schools are actually better equipping students for when they leave school. If a student is equipped with technology skills it could help them find a job in the future.

Students will be able to communicate with each others about school work related topics. They will also have access to technology whenever they need it whether it be the internet, cameras, recording devices, clocks, timers, and calculators.

The good points of using mobile phones in the classroom is the ability to work collaboratively with other students and the internet being available to all students for research. This would be beneficial as technology is a way of the future

Mobile phones are a safety tool. Many parents see this as being a way to know where or how they child is. It is also a great communication device, not only through ringing but with the use of apps such as Skype, students can communicate to not only their class peers but other schools, and countries. Mobile phones are a great source of information. Mobile data and Wi-Fi make it easy access to information relevant rather than looking up a textbook. As most students have grown up having or using a mobile phone, it would be a great way to engage the students in their learning, providing the content can be restricted. Finally most phones these days can give reminders and notifications to alarm students on future assessment, exams or appointments. Benefits: Students can have agency toward how they gain their information and from where on the internet. Students can socialise outside of school more effectively.

The main benefit I see is a way to engage students, an easily accessible ICT literally at the students fingertips. It would certainly fit well in a social constructivist learning environment wherein knowledge is constructed socially through interaction and negotiation with others and the learner is motivated intrinsically.

The device will allow students to access any information at the touch of their fingertips. The information for access is current as the web is always being updated (not reliable information though).The learning environment can also be made outside with the use of cameras and videos. It is a new and interesting way to actively engage the students. The use of online collaboration and messaging is a source of social constructivist learning. The downloadable apps provide learning for a diverse learning environment and caters for all learning styles - e.g.. seeing and hearing impaired and ESL students). ||
 * [[image:white.jpg width="153" height="133"]] || Jemima Smith

Michelle Rule

Hannah Jamieson

Emilia Heaney

Cassie Williams Joe Simmons

Tanisha Bickey

Sarah Massingham || //**Information**//: What information do I have? What are the facts? What information do I need? What do I want to KNOW? || After researching a number of website on the topic of mobile phones, I found that in order for mobile phones to be successful in the classroom, the importance of online safety must be stressed to the students. It is found that students enjoy participating in classroom activities that involve the use of technology, along with enjoying students also engage better within the activity, which means they will gain knowledge and understanding of the topic being taught. However important questions must be answered in order for successful implementation of mobile phones within the classroom.How can teachers monitor cyber safety? How can teachers monitor students are using the devices correctly? Will all students have a mobile phone?

My prior knowledge on the topic and my own experiences all point to the conclusion that the idea of having phones in classrooms could be a good and educational idea. However I would like to know more about what specific apps and programs the students would be using. I would like to know how I could manage my classroom to ensure my pupils are on task.

It is evident that child safety and the misuse of the internet are negative points of mobile phone use in the classroom and students need to be technologically savvy to be successful in their future. Are there filters that can be applied to the internet usage? Will all students have access to mobile phones? Can students safety be guaranteed?

Students often misuse mobile phones in the classroom and purely use it for social purposes. There has to be a way to control what the students are doing with their phones in the classroom for this to be successful.

After researching this topic, I found that 90% of twelve year olds in Britain have a mobile phone. This shows an alarming amount of students who have a device which could be useful in their education. Also 70% of parents consider mobile phones as a safety device. Finally a school in Australia is trialling the use of mobile phones within classrooms. So far the phones are used for the purpose of learning and discovering math and physics concepts and also how to model analyse the physics of the real world.

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Although I have not formally researched this fact, one only needs to observe the younger generation to see that almost every secondary and a large portion of upper primary students own and use and have easy access to a mobile phone. It is a part of everyday life for them to be connected every minute of every day to others and all forms of information.

We must encourage and promote the use of the devices as educational tools only, and discourage the acceptance of inappropriate misuse - they cant be a distraction if they are already a handy tool. Since completing this activity I can now see ICTs as being a fundamental tool in the future of education. Statistic show that 89% of teenagers have a mobile phone and 56% of those teenagers use that mobile phone to use the internet (ACMA). In order to make an informed decision, I would need to test it in my own classroom to see if it does in fact make a positive difference to their academic learning. ||