From Toy to Tool---Cell Phones as Learning Tools (K12 online 2007 conference)

Led by Liz Kolb http://toytotool.blogspot.com, from the University of Michigan.


The session itself was a mix of PowerPoint and live camera. Her session was very informative and the speaker kept a good pace. She presented a mix of class related cell phone uses and resource demonstrations.


Before watching this presentation I would have immediately said no cell phones in any classroom. After watching the presentation I would still say no phones in class, but I can see the uses outside of the class. I would say they are still a supplement to learning not a requirement. Purely because not all kids can afford a cell phone or have access to them. I suppose the same could be said about computers.


“A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the “tween” population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010.” –Hunter, 2007


Classroom related uses:
Cell phones can be data collection tools not just social toys.
--Record audio, take pictures, take video…
Cell phones can be used in collaboration with curriculum-based projects.
--Ring tones, wallpaper, text messaging
Cell phones as a research and organizational tool
--Mobile web, calendars, calculator


One of the resources that I found interesting is the free sites she demonstrated in which you can create podcasts with your cell phone. The students access the podcast with their phone or go to your blog and listen. Many of these sites can post to your blog, automatically---create audio greetings, and host conference calls. Student project ideas are things like collect sound clips from field trips, conduct interviews, practice speech skills etc…

Interesting resources:
Gabcast http://gabcast.com (free)
Gcast http://gcast.com (free)
FreeConferencePro http://freeconferencepro.com/(Free)
Phonezoo http://phonezoo.com (free ringtones)
Textforfree http://www.textforfree.com (free texting)
Mobiode http://mobiode.com (create surveys—send to phone list—free)
Homework Now http://homeworknow.com


A couple of examples of schools using cell phones are:
Southeastern Louisiana University-
http://www.selu.edu/library/askref/index.html (you can text questions to librarian)

New Hampshire schools-twenty-five schools are encouraging their students who own web-enabled cell phones to use them to access homework, class assignments, and other content.

Facebook=College and Myspace=No college

I recently read an article in eWeek on how companies are targeting there customers this way. This article sites a an article by Dana Boyd in which she talks about class divisions on Facebook and Myspace. According to Boyd Facebook is more likely used by kids that are on there way to college while Myspace users are either getting a job or going into the military after high school.

"These broad generalizations about services with millions of users a piece seem to be shared by some buttoned-down financial service companies seeking to tap the youth market via social networks. As social nets gain popularity as business tools within the enterprise, companies continue to reach beyond the firewall and use the technology for marketing purposes as well. For a growing number of big banks, Facebook is the place to be.

TD Canada recently launched a Facebook application called Split IT, which lets roommates easily divvy up shared bills. The bank built the app as part of its Facebook offering, The Money Lounge, which features financial information, coupons and other content. When a Money Lounge message board asked users what they like and don't like about the bank, replies compared TD Canada's online services with those offered by other large Canadian banks—valuable marketing intelligence.

JPMorgan Chase, meanwhile, targets the college demographic with a Facebook group built around a credit card loyalty program. The Chase +1 group has about 34,000 members, and offers rewards and financial advice. The idea is to win over valuable customers early and keep them for years."


Do you think this is a valid idea. Is there a social class for these two services. I know there is a big gap between those that have access to computers and those that do not. While computers are getting cheaper---perhaps this is the beginning of a new technology divide. What do you think? Do you agree?

Full article http://www.digitalinfrastructure.ziffdavisenterprise.com/article/Why+Some+Companies+Employ+Facebook/217063_1.aspx

Second Life Job Fair

Hello all,
I went to the second day of workshops hosted by CIT (Ed tech Fair). One of the workshops was on Second Life.


"Second Life: It's an Educational Tool, Not a Game" This workshop was very interesting like all the the other I attended...Good Job Andrea and CIT by the way. All the workshops I attended were interesting. There is nothing worse than a boring workshop.

After the CIT workshop I read an article about how a Las Vegas Chef attended a job fair in Second Life...he was interviewed and ultimately got a job using Second Life.


The article goes on to explain how the chef---who was not a confident interviewee(not sure about that spelling)---was able to be relaxed and confident in the interview. He did not have to worry about his lack of face-to-face poise getting in the way. Instead he could project the confident person on the inside with his avatar.

From the article: "A few major companies have begun experimenting with this virtual world as an additional tool to find employees. In May TMP Worldwide, a recruiting firm, hosted its first virtual job fair called Network in World on Second Life.

“To date, more than 1,800 candidates have either registered for a NiW job fair and then applied for open positions, or have expressed interest in a position and then left their contact details for employers,” says Russell Miyaki, a vice president of the recruiting firm, adding that about 214 interviews have taken place and about four people have gotten jobs as a result.

Companies that have interviewed candidates at the virtual job fairs included Sodexho, the food management company that hired Giordano, as well as Microsoft and Verizon, among others."


Is this the wave of the future or a flash in the pan??? What do you think?

The article I am referring: How fantasy life can get you a real job
Online community Second Life becomes venue for recruiting, interviewing to.