Royan Lee discusses how difficult it can be to figure out a way to share iPad devices in the classroom. Since these tools are designed for personal and customizable use, sharing them can become a problem. One example that EDM 310 students can relate to is working on an iMovie project on a borrowed device and saving it to come back to work on later. The device you saved it on could be in use when you come back to work on it or could have accidentally been deleted. When allowing your students to share devices if you do not have the correct amount, you need to be aware of the problems that could occur. Just because we recognize that sharing devices could make problems arise, this doesn’t mean we should stop using them altogether. Instead, Royan states that we need to put our "problem-solving hats" on and figure out a solution that will work in the classroom. He suggests different approaches that he takes that seem to help in his 7th grade classes. Royan has two classes and about sixty students total. He only has 15 iPad devices. Each device has certain “Learning Partners” assigned to it and a passcode that only the assigned “Learning Partners” will know. The process of Royan picking the partners involves a form that each student will fill out. On this form each student will put their first and last name, the top three choices of people they believe they could partner with, and their homeroom teacher. The “Learning Partners” will also create a written 3-point agreement that addresses how to care and manage their device as partners. An example would be:
1. We agree to always know where our iPad is
2. Look after our files and projects on the iPad
3. Keep our iPad safe from harm
Then the partners would sign the bottom of the paper and hold each other accountable to the agreement. I enjoyed the insight that Royan Lee shared on his blog about sharing devices in the classroom. I can see where it would be a struggle but assigning certain devices to certain people who tend to work together, and having a passcode so that no other students can break into their device and mess with any of their work are some very good suggestions.
October 6, 2013
"Why You Should Keep Your Ringer On and Call Your Mother in the BYOD Classroom"
Royan Lee has an idea that we need to create an environment where cell phones in the classroom are the "norm", and if they make a noise, so what? He believe this will be the students to view their teacher as a "real person". I love the idea of becoming a "real person" in front of your students, especially with younger grades. You do need to be respected and viewed as teacher, but I think it is also neat for them to realize you are a real person too, just like their moms and dads. He said that teachers should be able to use their phones as reminders, timers, and an event reminder. I think it would be okay for teachers to use their phones as timers in the classroom, or maybe even keep a to-do list on them. In the world today, cell phones are everywhere! There is no need for a teacher to hide their cell phone in the classroom in my opinion, as long as they don't become a distraction in the learning process. The problems develops when a teacher is sitting on Facebook on their phone instead of teaching or stopping and texting someone in a lesson. If a "norm" is developed in the classroom that the teacher always has his/her cell phone out and uses it for small tasks, then it won't really be such a distraction anymore, it will be the "norm". I think sometimes too big of a deal is made out of cells phones. One teacher that I have a class with this semester uses her cell phone as a timer. If we have 5 minutes to do an in-class assignment, she will set the timer and it will make a silly duck noise when time is up. I think elementary students would enjoy something like that. "The Spicy Learning Blog" is a great blog to explore.
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