Cell phones can aid students, educator argues

Detroit Free Press (MCT) - Cell phones have become unwelcome in most schools, because of fears about cheating, distractions and the reality that some students have used them to take and spread inappropriate pictures.

But a new book written by a local educator argues that cell phones also are educational.

In fact, cell phones can be a handy way for teachers to supplement their lessons, said Liz Kolb, an adjunct professor at Madonna University. And she wants students to learn that their cell phones are more than just a social device.

But before she can convince kids, she has to get through to teachers.

"They need a little help getting to the point where they see how it can be beneficial," said Kolb, who is working on a doctorate degree in education at the University of Michigan.

Her book, "Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education," was published by the International Society for Technology in Education and is geared toward educators. She provides a number of examples and tips for using cell phones.

Kolb also operates a blog on the subject at www.cellphonesinlearning.com.

Kolb said teachers can take advantage of cell phones on field trips, allowing students to snap pictures that can then be displayed in school. The cameras on cell phones also can help when students are studying things like ecosystems, because they can be used to take pictures of insects the class is studying.

Although some teachers may view cell phones as more disruptive than educational, others are embracing the technology.

Pat Sattler, a teacher and technology coordinator at St. Joseph School in Trenton, Mich., had students create a radio Christmas show using their cell phones. They used the cells to record jokes, riddles and interviews. The recordings were uploaded to a Web program, which converted them automatically into podcasts. And the podcasts then were hosted on the school's Web page.

Sattler said using cell phones keeps students motivated and engaged, and often results in students going the extra mile when working on projects.

"The kids are so much more natural when they're using technology in that way. If they were to have to stand in front of a microphone ... they get wooden and it seems rehearsed."

And the cells are flexible, Sattler said. "Anywhere you go, you can do a podcast. It keeps things more spontaneous."

For instance, she has used her cell phone to record kindergartners on the 100th day of the school year, because the youngsters always count to 100 on the school's public address system.

Lynne Sullivan hasn't used cell phones much in her chemistry and physics classes at Cranbrook Upper School, but she did take advantage of them during a class field trip to the Cranbrook Science Museum. There, in the area where gemstones are kept, students took pictures that they used as part of their class reports.

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Sullivan said she sees many possibilities, but acknowledged there are some downsides, such as the time she tried to record podcasts and learned that poor reception left her with a garbled recording.

Sattler has experienced similar problems. But she's sold on the use of cells in education.

"Anyone can do it," Sattler said. "With a cell you can capture really any moment you want."

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© 2009, Detroit Free Press.