Apace of Change

All-teacher email messages can be a funny thing. Sometimes they’re very positive and encouraging in nature (”Hey, did anyone catch the play this weekend? Good job everyone involved!”), and other times, like today, they take on sharper tones. I’d be lying if I said I never got sucked into it, but today [...]

How many teachers do you know who would give their eyeteeth for one of these gadgets? (from NY Times)
The jamming technology works by sending out a radio signal so powerful that phones are overwhelmed and cannot communicate with cell towers. The range varies from several feet to several yards, and the devices cost from $50 [...]

As receptive as I am to practical applications of tech in the classroom, I’ve never been big on mobile phones in school. Not that I’m inherently against their use; I just haven’t seen much that’s convinced me there’s that great a need for them in the classroom. A few tools I’ve come across [...]

From a discussion on crisis management at grad school tonight, we got onto the topic of cell phones in schools. Some folks recommended a straight-up ban. I disagreed, and suggested instead we model appropriate use of technology for our students and focus on trying to reduce or eliminate their desire to use phones [...]