Oh dear - Bill Thompson is talking from his backside again.

[mattx]

Dear oh dear oh dear - why does Bill Thompson continue to write such dribble - he thinks he's an expert on these matters - I wonder if he knows just how much of a moron he actually is ?

 

BBC News - Step away from the iPod

[GrumbleDook]

To be honest there is not that much off the truth of things with this.

 

The reason mobile phones, etc are viewed with disdain is that they tend to be weapons of mass distraction in the classroom. For those schools which have issues with classroom management then it is a point of confrontation so it is often easier to ban them from the outset ...

 

The other excuse which is heavily used is the 'secret filming' that goes on, contributing to harassment of staff, bullying of pupils / students and the sharing of inappropriate materials. Again, the easy option is to just ban them.

 

However, no matter what some views about handheld / mobile learning might be there is evidence that phones, etc can be a good tool amongst all the other technology which is available. It just has to be used appropriately. Bill's post is more aimed at those who would just do the outright ban without thinking about the educational benefits of using the technology within school, about how it contributes to how pupils / students use technology at home / outside of school for both educational and personal benefits, and also about how to educate them about safe and appropriate use.

 

Bill is also highlighting the contradiction of the Govt saying we need to make more use of mobile technology to access Govt services, and at the same time stopping people making use of the technology for other aspects of life, including learning.

 

As I keep saying ... don't blame technology for stuff that should be covered under the school disciplinary system or with better classroom management.

 

But he does mention The Maily Snail ... the sheer mentioning of that rag, either good or bad, drops any blog post down for me (hmm ... does that mean I need to neg rep myself now?)

[joe90bass]

He sure is! Wonder when he was last in a school!

[mattx]

To be honest there is not that much off the truth of things with this.

 

The reason mobile phones, etc are viewed with disdain is that they tend to be weapons of mass distraction in the classroom. For those schools which have issues with classroom management then it is a point of confrontation so it is often easier to ban them from the outset ...

 

The other excuse which is heavily used is the 'secret filming' that goes on, contributing to harassment of staff, bullying of pupils / students and the sharing of inappropriate materials. Again, the easy option is to just ban them.

 

However, no matter what some views about handheld / mobile learning might be there is evidence that phones, etc can be a good tool amongst all the other technology which is available. It just has to be used appropriately. Bill's post is more aimed at those who would just do the outright ban without thinking about the educational benefits of using the technology within school, about how it contributes to how pupils / students use technology at home / outside of school for both educational and personal benefits, and also about how to educate them about safe and appropriate use.

 

Bill is also highlighting the contradiction of the Govt saying we need to make more use of mobile technology to access Govt services, and at the same time stopping people making use of the technology for other aspects of life, including learning.

 

As I keep saying ... don't blame technology for stuff that should be covered under the school disciplinary system or with better classroom management.

 

But he does mention The Maily Snail ... the sheer mentioning of that rag, either good or bad, drops any blog post down for me (hmm ... does that mean I need to neg rep myself now?)

 

Just a shame we can't neg rep Bill Thomson !!

Again too much emphasis on technology and ICT in schools, I just don't understand why this keeps happening. I feel because of this other subjects are now suffering. D&T rooms being scrapped for ICT equipment, Art Rooms being re-built for ICT, drama being dropped, music taking a back seat all because of flipping ICT - it's shocking.

I would like to see a better balanced teaching element bought in - yes ICT can be there with it but I do wish schools would stop flooding the subject matter in with everything - it's pointless. I've said it before and I'll say it again - you will get a much better creative 5 year old by sticking a sheet of A4 in front of them with some crayons than by sticking a mouse in their hand and loading some cheap art package. Scientists of tomorrow will still be doing experiments for real, NOT a crappy flash / shockwave simulation. Tomorrows writers will still be getting influence and passion from real everyday life situations to for ideas for some great literature - not facebook or bebo.

Use it, but don't abuse it - [ which is what I currently feel is happening ] - I've flown off on a different subject now so will zip it.

[rush_tech]

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/60079-step-away-ipod.html

[synaesthesia]

Can't stand this fella, he's a constant bottom-whisperer of the highest order. But I'm of the opinion that in the modern era of education and with technology moving forward, we should perhaps be trying harder to implement these mobile devices in teaching methods. After all, if a pupil is going to be easily distracted by a mobile phone with an amusing video, they will likely also pay attention to the same phone showing something of use in the classroom. And it may keep their attention. They could learn something more about the devices, learn what else they can do other than inane chit-chat with pals and youtube bullying.

I've been sceptical, however after setting up a school with a couple of new HTC mobile phones and some relevant software (fingertips, I believe it was called) I was pleased to see it put into use and how much attention the children paid to it. After all, it's a nice shiny gadget and kids love gadgets - especially familiar ones. It's something they'll already know how to use.

 

So, I'd agree that discipline should be used rather than abstinence in controlling the misuse of these devices, just like the misuse of any other ICT equipment in school.

I do believe the devices could be used to greater effect in the modern classroom. However, I'm just a techy with no knowledge of teaching whatsoever, so this view could be massively jaded/naive.