Journal 4

"From Toy to Tool: Audioblogging with Cell phones" by Liz Kolb
Liz Kolb describes the benefits of incorporating cell phones into the classroom. By using cell phones, students can create audioblogs online. She believes that these everyday tools can be transformed into useful tools in the classroom. Blogger and blogzy.com are some sites that students can "use their cell phones to create blogs, collect and store data, and develop multimedia projets". An audioblog is a voice message froma phone that automatically posts to a blogsite. Students can conduct interviews and record them on thier cell phone, with a push of a buttom the interview is posted online. Students can also post pictures and text. This can be used in many subjects such as social studies, "students can interview veterans of wars, civil rights leaders, and local community leaders", Science-students can record different animal sounds. It is a great tool for kids! Privacy issues are always a concern for parents. Blogger.com isnot password protected so anyone can view students posts. Blogzy, however, is password protected and can protect students from the public. A main point in this article is copyright issues. Students must undestand the importance of asking permission. To use names, voices or images you must get the authorization of the owner. Almost all sites are free which makes it very accessible to students.
What happens to students who don't own cell phones?
The artcle describes a great way to ask for funding in classrooms, many students own cell phone but the few that dont can get one to use only at school. Not every student needs a cell phone to be able to participate. If at least 4 or 5 are funded, the class should be able to audioblog.
How do you prevent students from using cell phones inappropriatly in class?
The article gives a great example of how teachers should print out contracts stating that cell phone can only be use at certain times on certain days and if they are seen or used any other time they will be confiscated.