Free Text Messaging...hmmm

So lately I have noticed that there are a lot of web2.0 sites that offer free text messaging to any cell phone from the web. One example is http://textforfree.net/. I find these sites intriguing especially since I know how much students (especially high school students) love to text message each other. I know it costs money each time they text, so being able to create text messages from the web may be a nice option for the wallet as well as for learning. I am just starting to think of ideas for using these free text tools.

One idea is for homework/organizational reminders, where teachers and/or students could send a text from school (where cell phones are banned) to the cell phones to remind them of important assignments, group work...etc. Another idea is to use the text messaging tool to develop an assignment around it, such as "poetry text" where students in English class could create text messaging poetry that they would send to each other (in a sense publishing their poetry). They could also create "text reviews" for test reviewing, where students could send each other review questions or reminders. In a business class, students could create a "text advertising" campaign to target teenagers with a new product. In a social studies class they could create a "text election slogan" to get others interested in their candidate or choice, or they could do "text current events" where different students are in charge of texting current national or world events as they occur in real time (for example a student could be in charge of the War in Iraq and texting when new developments occur).

These are just a few ideas I've come up with as I have been playing with these new tools, I'm very interested in any other ideas out there...until next time, I will be texting---for free!

How young is too young for cell phones?

While many teachers that I work with claim cell phones should only be considered for learning at the secondary level (if at all) because most younger students do not have their own cell phone, a new article disputes this notion. The article, Should a 10-Year -Old Have a Cell phone?, describes many parents who are purchasing cell phones for children as young as 8 in order to keep tabs on their kids, stay in touch, and to keep them safe in case of emergencies. The article references a study (Jupiter) that states by the end of this year (2007) 1/2 of 12-13 year olds will have a cell phone and 1/3 of 10-11 year olds will have their own cell phone! While many of these cell phones are limited and restricted (such as only being able to call a few numbers and no text messaging), I have a feeling that the age of children with cell phones will only decrease over time (as I mentioned in an earlier post, PBS has developed programs for preschoolers to use on cell phones). Thus I think it is important to consider potential learning uses of cell phones with students of all ages. The younger we start to educate students on appropriate cell phone use and misuse, the better chance we have to teach them how to use their cell phones as life-long learning tools, rather than just a social toy!

Mathematics by Cell Phone!

Often many of my secondary preservice teachers claim that Mathematics and Technology are not are a cooperative combination (even graphing calculators are controversial withe many mathematic teachers). I recently came across an interesting article about Prof. Michal Yerushalmy who developed a "mobile math lab" program that allows collaboration of mathematics on cell phones. The program is free and can be installed on most cell phones. The program turns cell phones into mini mathematic computers, where students can conduct activities such as graphing, modeling, functions, and quadrilaterals. IN addition the website suggests many age appropriate activities for mobile math programs. Even better, You do not need to have a fancy smart phone in order to use these programs!! Finally, if cell phones are not allowed in your school, mobile math lab activities can be done for homework and I believe (although I have yet to try) the data can be shared between students for more collaborative activities! Maybe students will be more motivated to participate in the math curriculum if they can use their favorite social tool!?

Author Reading Podcasts created with Cells

I introduced Gabcast to one of the teachers I work with, and she used it Gabcast to record original authors read their work. She often goes to author readings and wanted her students to be able to experience the authors reciting their original work, so she decided to ask the authors if they minded her putting her cell phone down next to them as they read and having it immediately posted to the web through Gabcast. Here is a her blog with a couple readings! If you can't bring the authors into the classroom than this is a very good alternative. An additional assignment that comes to my mind with secondary students is having them attend author readings, poetry slams, and other presentations outside of school and recording them with their cell phones. Beyond being able to bring the presentation back to their peers it may also help them remember what was said and how it was said for reflection writing. Of course they should always make sure they ask permission first!!!