To sustain the profitable state of your business in this fastpaced cellular phone industry, creating useful and functional cellular phone may be necessary. Various accessories for your cellular phone may also add to your chances of being ahead of the competition. The competition does not stop from designing functional cellular phones and accessories, they also create the need for ring tones and wallpapers. Cellular phone ring tones and cellular phone wallpapers add to the growing number of dress up paraphernalia for your cellular phone. Ring tones and wallpapers give personality to your cellular phone, thus you can flaunt his high-tech gadget to the world.
Because of the entertaining effect and beauty of cellular phone ring tones and cellular phone wallpapers, computer experts and cellular phone manufacturers are quick to design software and gadgets that will help in the easy installation of ring tones and wallpapers. This gave birth to a ring tone converter. The cellular phone ring tone converter will help to transfer ring tones from one cellular phone to another. This ring tone converters also help in downloading ring tones from computers and internet sites. These are also cellular phones, which supports manual input of cellular phone ring tones. Ring tones transfer via SMS is also possible. A cellular phone ring tone converter may also function when transferring a ring tone from other cellular phone brands. Although there are cellular phone models that does not support ring tone converters, it is however possible that the cellular phone has a built in cellular phone ring tone which will help create a dignified personality for your cellular phone.
Availability of ring tone converters, which does not require cables and infrared connections, proves to be easy to use if you need to download cellular phone ring tones. If you are serious in personalizing your cellular phone ring tone, you may try to find a cellular phone with fully functional ring tone composer. Then you may now create and edit cellular phone ring tones when you have this composer in your cellular phone. Editing ring tones and converting your favorite song into a cellular phone ring tone is easy with the modern ring tone converter. The ring tone composer of your cellular phone may also do this job as well as your converter.
Additionally there are available websites where you can acquire cellular phone ring tones. There are those websites that use SMS format from where you can download ring tones using a converter, but there are those that merely require the downloading capacity of your phone and nothing more. You will now have a cellular phone ring tones that may provide the personality you want.
Knowing that there are cellular phone ring tone converter and built-in composers, it may further enhance your cellular phone ring tone if you know the software that is best used with your converter. This information will now help you create that personality you want for your high-tech gadget.
Having all these information, you may go to various internet sites and look for the best monophonic or polyphonic ring tone, which you may feel is a suited ring tone for your cellular phone. Having a cellular phone ring tone and cellular phone wallpaper is good; however, you may first check your phone before you even think of ring tones, because editing and downloading ring tones may require a support from your own cellular phone model. Do not despair however if your phone do not support editing and downloading cellular phone ring tones because manufacturers have built-in ring tones, although it may not be the music you want but just the same you have the ring tone.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A 21st Century Global Acceptable Use Policy for Schools
Last Fall I sent out a survey on my Twitter network asking K-12 teachers about cell phone use in their schools. I received 100 responses on SurveyMonkey (Wow! Imagine how much more difficult it would have been to get survey responses from random teachers around the nation in 1995???).
Survey Says...
Of 100 teachers, 97 of them said that their school had a policy that highly restricted cell phone use during school hours (either banning them completely or restricting their use to non-academic times). Yet in the same survey 40 of the teachers said they were using cell phones in learning, and 87 teachers said they would like to use cell phones for learning in their schools in the future. While this is not a scientific survey, it was just a quick random survey of educators on Twitter, the results do speak to a need for a change in acceptable use policies.
One of the reasons teachers tell me they are not interested in using cell phones in learning is because their schools' acceptable use policy does not allow cell phones in the classroom.
Probably the most common question that I have been asked by teachers who are interested in using cell phones in learning is, "how do I go about changing my schools' acceptable use policy to include cell phones?"
While I have often given some suggestions, I recently came across Uni High. Uni is a school in Urbana, Il that has propsed a new, more cell phone friendly AUP.
Here is a blurb of the new policy proposal
Now a few things on my wish list to go along with the aup for cell phones...
1) Teaching mobile etiquette, safety, and legalise
2) Training teachers on academic uses for cell phones (lets' give our inservice and preservice teachers the professional development they need to effectively integrate cell phones).
Survey Says...
Of 100 teachers, 97 of them said that their school had a policy that highly restricted cell phone use during school hours (either banning them completely or restricting their use to non-academic times). Yet in the same survey 40 of the teachers said they were using cell phones in learning, and 87 teachers said they would like to use cell phones for learning in their schools in the future. While this is not a scientific survey, it was just a quick random survey of educators on Twitter, the results do speak to a need for a change in acceptable use policies.
One of the reasons teachers tell me they are not interested in using cell phones in learning is because their schools' acceptable use policy does not allow cell phones in the classroom.
Probably the most common question that I have been asked by teachers who are interested in using cell phones in learning is, "how do I go about changing my schools' acceptable use policy to include cell phones?"
While I have often given some suggestions, I recently came across Uni High. Uni is a school in Urbana, Il that has propsed a new, more cell phone friendly AUP.
Here is a blurb of the new policy proposal
I think this policy is an excellent example of a policy that can keep structure and restaints around using cell phones inappropriately, while as the same time give classroom teachers the option to use them in their teaching and learning.Mobile Device Policy
Students may have silenced mobile devices on their person. The use of communication features on cellular devices during instructional time, or in a disruptive manner in the school atmosphere, is prohibited.
Each teacher has the right to allow the use of mobile devices (e.g. cell phones, laptops, iPods, personal data assistants) during instructional time.
The use of cell phones in the hallway is prohibited, as it is considered a disruption to classes taking place. Nondisruptive cell phone use is allowed in the stairwells.
Students are permitted to use mobile devices, including cell phones, in the student lounge for the remainder of the first semester of 2008. This is a probationary period after which SFAC will make a recommendation to the administration and the faculty for future use of mobile devices.
Students may continue to use mobile devices in the stairwells of Uni.
Now a few things on my wish list to go along with the aup for cell phones...
1) Teaching mobile etiquette, safety, and legalise
2) Training teachers on academic uses for cell phones (lets' give our inservice and preservice teachers the professional development they need to effectively integrate cell phones).
Friday, February 20, 2009
Cell phone plans, choose the best deal.
Cell phone has evolved to be one of the most important part of life. Most businesses require their officers to have a cell phone. Even individuals need cell phones in going about their daily lives. This is why acquiring this important gadget require intelligence to avoid inappropriate expense. Finding the most reasonable cell phone plan is one requirement in choosing cell phones intelligently. Because of the very large number of network services in this country, it may help you to research and assess their offers before deciding on a cell phone plan.
Before you decide to buy a cell phone, you may want to decide first whether you want a prepaid cell phone service or a traditional cell phone plan. If you decide on a prepaid cell phone service, then no problem, no credit check, you just need to pay outright and immediately you have your phone. Some cell phone companies even offer free cellular phone unit when you acquire a prepaid cell phone service from them. However, when you want a cell phone plan, you may need to choose from a by minute charging or by the second charging. Both charging process have positive and negative points. You need to assess your usage frequency and requirements before you decide on a cell phone plan. You may research on the performance like if they have enough towers to reach you wherever you are. There are different cell phone plans for family and national use. There are also cell phone plans for regional use. All of these have their own benefits although there are also their disadvantages. For prepaid cell phone plans, there are cell phone units that may not have the capability for this connection.
Other cell phone plans like family plans, this is advantageous for family use and small businesses. There is free access for emergencies. In addition, for family plans, it is cheaper to call the other cell phones included in one billing. There are also discounts for the airtime usage of family members using this cell phone plan. For national plans, this cell phone plan includes free long-distance charges. There are no roaming charges for this cell phone plan and it is another advantage. For regional use, this cell phone plan may require you to pay long-distance charges but the airtime rates may be cheaper.
Cell phone plans may be beneficial is you can acquire the once that have the benefits you need. The manner of usage is an essential requirement, if you do not need it as much and just for emergencies, prepaid cell phone plan could suit you well than traditional plans where you need to sign a contract with the service provider.
Prepaid cell phone plans are often preferred; however, for travelers the traditional plan with no roaming charges and no long-distance charges might be best.
All of this notwithstanding, in order to make full and effective use of your cell phone, you may want to set some guidelines in your usage. If you want your cell phone for your business, you may need to make sure you turn it off when you need privacy. Being available every time may not do well for you. Reserve sometime for yourself and never allow people to disturb you during this time. If your business partners know they could reach you even late at night and on weekends, they will be annoyed if you suddenly change this behavior. Having a cell phone and being available all the time may not be healthy, thus, you have to be wary not to allow people disturb you when you need to be alone with or without your cell phone.
Before you decide to buy a cell phone, you may want to decide first whether you want a prepaid cell phone service or a traditional cell phone plan. If you decide on a prepaid cell phone service, then no problem, no credit check, you just need to pay outright and immediately you have your phone. Some cell phone companies even offer free cellular phone unit when you acquire a prepaid cell phone service from them. However, when you want a cell phone plan, you may need to choose from a by minute charging or by the second charging. Both charging process have positive and negative points. You need to assess your usage frequency and requirements before you decide on a cell phone plan. You may research on the performance like if they have enough towers to reach you wherever you are. There are different cell phone plans for family and national use. There are also cell phone plans for regional use. All of these have their own benefits although there are also their disadvantages. For prepaid cell phone plans, there are cell phone units that may not have the capability for this connection.
Other cell phone plans like family plans, this is advantageous for family use and small businesses. There is free access for emergencies. In addition, for family plans, it is cheaper to call the other cell phones included in one billing. There are also discounts for the airtime usage of family members using this cell phone plan. For national plans, this cell phone plan includes free long-distance charges. There are no roaming charges for this cell phone plan and it is another advantage. For regional use, this cell phone plan may require you to pay long-distance charges but the airtime rates may be cheaper.
Cell phone plans may be beneficial is you can acquire the once that have the benefits you need. The manner of usage is an essential requirement, if you do not need it as much and just for emergencies, prepaid cell phone plan could suit you well than traditional plans where you need to sign a contract with the service provider.
Prepaid cell phone plans are often preferred; however, for travelers the traditional plan with no roaming charges and no long-distance charges might be best.
All of this notwithstanding, in order to make full and effective use of your cell phone, you may want to set some guidelines in your usage. If you want your cell phone for your business, you may need to make sure you turn it off when you need privacy. Being available every time may not do well for you. Reserve sometime for yourself and never allow people to disturb you during this time. If your business partners know they could reach you even late at night and on weekends, they will be annoyed if you suddenly change this behavior. Having a cell phone and being available all the time may not be healthy, thus, you have to be wary not to allow people disturb you when you need to be alone with or without your cell phone.
Sexting & Texting; Schools Role
In the last year I have come across a number of articles about students sexting. Sexting is when a person sends a nude picture of themselves to someone else. Students have been arrested for sexting and are facing criminal charges such as child pornography. Besides sexting, according to the Smoking Gun, a student was arrested for texting during class because she refused to stop. She was charged with a crime of disorderly conduct.While sexting and distracting texting are reasons why schools worry about including cell phones in learning, I believe these two examples are reasons why schools need to include cell phones in learning. The way that students communicate, collaborate, and conduct business (personal or public) over their mobile devices could be both beneficial and detrimental to their futures in the 21st Century workforce. Currently with policies banning cell phones from school campus, teachers get the message that they should ignore cell phones altogether. Which includes talking with students about mobile safety, ethics, and legalese. Students do not understand the ramifications for the media they collect and send on their cell phones. Teachers have an opportunity to help educate students on how to use their cell phones appropriately, for the common good, and for their own upward mobility in the global workforce.
If we continue to focus on the negative, than the U.S. will continue to fall behind other areas of the world that are already using cell phones in learning. Imagine if we only focused on the horrible car accidents and the deaths from those every year in the U.S.? We would ban automobiles. But we also see the common good in cars; for transportation, for the travel industry, for commerce...etc. We even have courses that students are required to take to learn how to drive appropriately and legally. Students need to learn how to navigate their cell phones; appropriately, legally, and for their own futures in this global economy.
Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ydhsu/3183824689/
Saturday, February 14, 2009
MIT Introduces First Graduate Course on Mobile Phones for Social Activism
I just read an interesting post on MobileActive. It mentioned a new graduate course/seminar being offered at MIT. The graduate seminar (Call4Action) focuses on how mobile phones and other devices are being used around the world for activism. According to MobileActive, this is the first graduate course to be offered on the benefits of mobile phones for activist organizations. Below is part of the description of the seminar..."Call for Action (CfA) is an intensive studio seminar on contemporary technologies and activism. How can mobile networked devices be used for social change, politics, and expression? Can Web2.0 techniques be applied to help to organize people, gather information, and enable collective action to stop global warming? organize labor? end a war?
Each week we will review existing tools for social change, cover techniques for mobile hacking, and piece together new experiments. International speakers ranging from Zimbabwean activists to telecommunication experts will discuss the problems with existing ICTs, and suggest parameters for new systems. We will explore protocols and packages like VOIP, SMS, and Asterisk to look at how they may be reused or reconfigured. And we will do a variety of hacking and technical exercises that can demystify the field and act as springboards for future work."
I am excited to see higher education recognizing the benefit of using cell phones in global communication and activism. I hope that courses like this start popping up all over different fields of higher education. Such as mobile medicine, mobile social work, mobile business, mobile research, mobile literacy, mobile history, mobile economics...etc.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Are We Moving Backwards?? Stop Pennsylvania From Banning Cell Phones
Just when I thought education was finally moving past the traditional four rows of desks and a whiteboard for the model of what constitutes learning, Pennsylvania introduces a Bill (363) to ban all student cell phones from school grounds. What!?
Yesterday I watched an amazing presentation by Julie Evans from the Tomorrow Group, who told us that only 24% of advanced technology students believe that they are receiving an education that prepares them for the digital 21st Century Workplace. Julie spoke about how prevalent cell phones and other mobile devices are among students, and how much they WANT to use their devices in learning. Also, she talked about the "Free Agent Learner", the student who does not want to be bound by a classroom or a cubical to learn or work.
I've also been reading some reports by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and learning that almost 90% of Americans think that U.S. students are not getting the digital skills they need to be competitive in the future workforce. Maybe because we tend to ban or filter some of the best resources in education??!!!
Bill 363 seems to fight against getting students ready to compete in a global, digital, and mobile economy. I'm not sure it if this Bill is created out of fear, ignorance, or pride. In any case, I urge you to sign the petition that to stop this Bill and let school districts decide what is best for their students.
I hope the creators of the Bill take some time to read the following;
The 2009 Horizon Report
Pockets of Potential (Cooney Center Brief)
Learning Environments Must Break Through the Silos that Separate Learning from the Real World
Yesterday I watched an amazing presentation by Julie Evans from the Tomorrow Group, who told us that only 24% of advanced technology students believe that they are receiving an education that prepares them for the digital 21st Century Workplace. Julie spoke about how prevalent cell phones and other mobile devices are among students, and how much they WANT to use their devices in learning. Also, she talked about the "Free Agent Learner", the student who does not want to be bound by a classroom or a cubical to learn or work.
I've also been reading some reports by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and learning that almost 90% of Americans think that U.S. students are not getting the digital skills they need to be competitive in the future workforce. Maybe because we tend to ban or filter some of the best resources in education??!!!
Bill 363 seems to fight against getting students ready to compete in a global, digital, and mobile economy. I'm not sure it if this Bill is created out of fear, ignorance, or pride. In any case, I urge you to sign the petition that to stop this Bill and let school districts decide what is best for their students.
I hope the creators of the Bill take some time to read the following;
The 2009 Horizon Report
Pockets of Potential (Cooney Center Brief)
Learning Environments Must Break Through the Silos that Separate Learning from the Real World
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Cell phones, do you really want to be available all the time?
Do you really want to be available for anyone and everyone on a 24/7 basis? What do I mean? A famous person once said that the more available you make yourself; the more available everyone will expect you to be. People will actually be annoyed if you are not instantly and constantly available rather than being pleased when you do call. People expecting you to be available all the time may be annoying. Cell phone calls follow you everywhere you are including your bathroom. Even during nighttime when you want to rest, cell phones continue to ring and annoy you. If it is important, no problem but if it is very menial, why you need to be bothered so late.
Today in this modern society, we live in and the proliferation of cell phones we see people talking anywhere and everywhere. If used for business, this may prove to be very effective and worthy. However, for very menial issues being bothered in your sleep and even during your bathroom time may be quite annoying if not outright disgusting. However, if you make yourself available all the time, you created your own nightmare.
Cell phone etiquette is getting to be a forgotten concept. You will see people talking on the phone loudly and disturbs people nearby in restaurants and even in offices. I am sure by now, once or twice in a meeting you will notice that when a cell phone rings, almost everyone around will immediately look for their cell phones. If you were the one talking, and then the person in front of you talks on his phone, how would you feel? I am sure you will feel belittled and ignored. Rude practice, and should be changed.
It may help people who use cell phones to follow certain degree of etiquette with respect to the use of cell phones specially in places where you may seem rude if you use or even when your cell phone rings.
When you are in a place of worship, it may be necessary to leave your cell phone in the house or at least turn it off if you do not want to be away with it. This is because ringing cell phone will not just disturb you while you pray it will also disturb others. You do not need to show off your expensive gadget in a place of worship.
During meetings, please turn off your cell phone; it is rude to have your phone ringing while somebody speaks. Disruption may cause problems especially when the meeting tackles extremely important issues. However, if you are waiting for terribly important call, you may use the vibrate mode of your cell phone to alert you when a call is in-coming and leave the meeting if you need to answer the call. You may also inform the possible caller that you are in a meeting and that you cannot be disturbed.
When traveling and if you are on-board an aircraft, you will be required to turn off your phone. This is because electronics devices may interfere with the aircraft’s avionics. Thus, it is a requirement to turn of your phone for safety reasons. However, for extremely long flights, airline companies allow cell phone usage at a certain time, if you really need to make a phone call, use this time allotted if necessary.
Cell phone have become to be a necessity nowadays, that is why most people use it and cell phone manufacturers have continuously develop different usage and functions for this very small gadget. Be globally competitive, but you should understand that being rude is not part of modernity. Follow certain degree of etiquette; this will be very helpful to you and your business.
Today in this modern society, we live in and the proliferation of cell phones we see people talking anywhere and everywhere. If used for business, this may prove to be very effective and worthy. However, for very menial issues being bothered in your sleep and even during your bathroom time may be quite annoying if not outright disgusting. However, if you make yourself available all the time, you created your own nightmare.
Cell phone etiquette is getting to be a forgotten concept. You will see people talking on the phone loudly and disturbs people nearby in restaurants and even in offices. I am sure by now, once or twice in a meeting you will notice that when a cell phone rings, almost everyone around will immediately look for their cell phones. If you were the one talking, and then the person in front of you talks on his phone, how would you feel? I am sure you will feel belittled and ignored. Rude practice, and should be changed.
It may help people who use cell phones to follow certain degree of etiquette with respect to the use of cell phones specially in places where you may seem rude if you use or even when your cell phone rings.
When you are in a place of worship, it may be necessary to leave your cell phone in the house or at least turn it off if you do not want to be away with it. This is because ringing cell phone will not just disturb you while you pray it will also disturb others. You do not need to show off your expensive gadget in a place of worship.
During meetings, please turn off your cell phone; it is rude to have your phone ringing while somebody speaks. Disruption may cause problems especially when the meeting tackles extremely important issues. However, if you are waiting for terribly important call, you may use the vibrate mode of your cell phone to alert you when a call is in-coming and leave the meeting if you need to answer the call. You may also inform the possible caller that you are in a meeting and that you cannot be disturbed.
When traveling and if you are on-board an aircraft, you will be required to turn off your phone. This is because electronics devices may interfere with the aircraft’s avionics. Thus, it is a requirement to turn of your phone for safety reasons. However, for extremely long flights, airline companies allow cell phone usage at a certain time, if you really need to make a phone call, use this time allotted if necessary.
Cell phone have become to be a necessity nowadays, that is why most people use it and cell phone manufacturers have continuously develop different usage and functions for this very small gadget. Be globally competitive, but you should understand that being rude is not part of modernity. Follow certain degree of etiquette; this will be very helpful to you and your business.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cell Phones in Learning Radio Show is BACK!! AND Improved!
Starting this Wednesday, Feb. 11th. Cell Phones in Learning's live radio show will return at our new time...8:30 pm. It is a 30 minute show (so it can be your lead-in to the EdTechTalk 9:00pm shows).
First, let me say that I could not host alone. I found it too difficult to monitor the chat room and speak coherently at the same time. Therefore I have brought on board my co-instructor at Michigan, Jeff Stanzler. His twitter ID is "stanz". Jeff has a background in both education technology and foundations. He is in charge of an innovative technology project at Michigan, which includes web-based simulations pairing university students and K-12 classrooms. I am so excited to have Jeff as a co-host. Not only is he very interested in the topic of 21st Century learning and cell phones, but he found our first interview for the upcoming broadcast!!!
Our guest this week is a high school teacher named Larry Liu. Larry is a former student of Jeff's and mine. Larry is now teaching in Michigan and using both cell phones and Facebook with his high school students!!! You will have to tune in on Wednesday to learn more about Larry's innovative project! We will be broadcasting through BlogTalkRadio. Below is the link to our broadcast! Please Join Us!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elikeren
Starting this Wednesday, Feb. 11th. Cell Phones in Learning's live radio show will return at our new time...8:30 pm. It is a 30 minute show (so it can be your lead-in to the EdTechTalk 9:00pm shows).First, let me say that I could not host alone. I found it too difficult to monitor the chat room and speak coherently at the same time. Therefore I have brought on board my co-instructor at Michigan, Jeff Stanzler. His twitter ID is "stanz". Jeff has a background in both education technology and foundations. He is in charge of an innovative technology project at Michigan, which includes web-based simulations pairing university students and K-12 classrooms. I am so excited to have Jeff as a co-host. Not only is he very interested in the topic of 21st Century learning and cell phones, but he found our first interview for the upcoming broadcast!!!
Our guest this week is a high school teacher named Larry Liu. Larry is a former student of Jeff's and mine. Larry is now teaching in Michigan and using both cell phones and Facebook with his high school students!!! You will have to tune in on Wednesday to learn more about Larry's innovative project! We will be broadcasting through BlogTalkRadio. Below is the link to our broadcast! Please Join Us!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elikeren
Monday, February 2, 2009
Phonecasting: Easy Podcasting Creation and Delivery for Students
I have been investigating a resource called Phonecasting. Phonecasting is created by the same group that developed Podlinez. I posted last year about Podlinez. Podlinez has the ability to turn any RSS feed (audio or text) into a podcast you can hear on the phone. Phonecasting offers a similar function with a bonus. Like Podlinez, Phonecasting is a free resource which allows you to listen to any podcast via landlines or cell phone. Phonecasting gives you a unique phone number to give out to all your listeners who would prefer to listen via cell phone or landlines. Besides the accessibility and convenience that Phonecasting offers with unique phone numbers, it also allows anyone to create their own phonecast via phone. I love this option!!! So many students do not have access to the Internet or software to create their own podcast outside of school. In addition some students do not have their own cell phones, so Phonecasting uses a toll-free number to record podcasts via phone. This means that any student can use landlines to record the podcast!!Classroom Integration Ideas:
Since Phonecasting is uber-podcasting, there are a wide variety of projects one can do in K-12 classrooms. Below I highlight a few options that are unique to Phonecasting.
1) Museum Tours
Students can work with local museums to develop audio tours. This is an opportunity for students to learn about the artifacts in the museum and create an authentic tool for the museum.
2) Local Walking Tours
Students can create a virtual audio walking tour (no need for the Internet) about content from the class curricula. For example, students in a science class could create a scientific species walking tour for visitor of the city. Students could scout out local places where particular species are found, and then create an audible call-in walking tour with directions and scientific information.
3) Geography/Mathematics
Students studying geography and way-finding could create audio tours giving directions on how to get to popular local destinations. Such as the favorite local deli or a monument. They could have a call-in number associated with the directions.
4) Business Marketing
Students in a business, economics or journalism class could team with a local business and create audible coupons using Phonecasting. Students could create short audio advertisements that include the latest coupon deals. At the end of the advertisement the students could tell the listener the coupon code to use when they purchase the product.
5) School Radio On-Demand
While many schools have weekly radio broadcasts or podcasts, they are often broadcast live. When they are achieved it is usually to a website, where listeners would need Internet access in order to download and listen to the podcast. Using Phonecasting, weekly podcasts can be created and heard via cell phone or landlines on-demand rather than at a designated time or using Internet access.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)