Miller,+Emily+Anna+Cool+Tools+Review

I attended the “cool tools” __Smartphones in the Classroom__ session on Tuesday via Skype presented by Kevin Oliver. He presented the idea of BYOD, Bring Your Own Device. Cell phones are in the hands of the majority of our students. They have access to learning tools via their cell phones anytime and anywhere. It allows students to use a once taboo technology in the classroom, which leads to student engagement. As a facilitator of learning, it is my responsibility to prepare students for the world when they graduate. Cell phones are a tool in the 21st century world used every day and students need to be prepared for the digital work environment. Lesson Plan: Students will construct a short text using a voice-recording device, then work with a partner to analyze and deconstruct the text. Students will... cell phones (basic or smart) Computer with Web access Class texts, stimulus material (images, video clips, writing samples etc) relevant to current student learning. 1. Ensures devices are charged and have sufficient storage space for voice recordings. 2. Designates student helpers to assist those new to using the mobile devices. 1. Explain to students they'll be doing some writing, but not as they usually would, and outlines the steps of the lesson: create a text; send it to a partner; edit partner's work; send partner's work back; voice-record your own text to check it audibly. Either a set topic can be provided to students, or students may be given stimulus material to inspire their imagination in preparation for writing. Demonstrates the technical steps involved and designates student helpers. 2. Students type (or write digitally if using a DS or PDA) their sentences into the chat-type app they are using. Another option is to have students hand-write and then voice-record sentences instead. You can even specify that certain punctuation errors for the partner to discover and correct, facts on the current class topic, or other writing features be included, depending on the class's current learning focus.
 * OBJECTIVE**
 * 1) construct a short text using a chat or voice-record device and submit it to a peer.
 * 2) deconstruct a text and provide feedback to a peer.
 * 3) analyze a recorded text to test their learning
 * MATERIALS**
 * SET UP AND PREPARE**
 * DIRECTIONS**

3. Typed sentences are now sent to a friend. Specify that the text is to be edited for spelling, punctuation, meaning, relevant facts-or even all of these. If sentences have been voice-recorded, the task can be to transcribe the sentences correctly.

4. Once partners complete their editing, they send them back either via chat or as transposed notes if voice recording was used, and students check the editing for completeness. At this point, examples can be sent to the teacher for display or to play to the class as a discussion starter.