We introduced our cell phone "clicker" system this month. I made a presentation at a local technology conference and then met with a university to share it with several faculty members there. It is both exciting and intimidating. So exciting to see a new technology in education that can make a difference. We are truly taking the device most-used by young people—the cell phone—and putting it to use in the classroom.
I think using the cell phone as a classroom response device is cool. I also think it is just the tip of the iceberg. I think we will come up with all kinds of ways to use the cell phone and it will become as integral to the class as the calculator or laptop.
I am also hopeful that it is will help with the digital divide. Not everyone can afford a laptop, but 99% of all students have a cell phone.
Our launch was intimidating because one never knows what the reception of a new product will be. I believe students will love it. I believe some teachers will love it, but know that there will be those who disagree with our thinking and those who are unsure.
It is quite the journey. One I am most grateful to be a part of. I have a great team to work with and can't wait to see what's next on our adventure.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
To Text or Not To Text
We are just about ready to launch our software that allows students use text messaging to participate in the classroom. We have run a couple tests and I am surprised at how generational the use of text messaging is.
Anyone under 20 can text with their eyes closed. Anyone over the age of 30 finds it cumbersome and difficult. Same task, two very different experiences.
I am trying to think back over the years to see if there are other technologies that had such strong age discrimination and am having trouble finding them. The personal computer comes to mind, but its adoption really ran through all age categories. You could find early adopters at all ages.
Interestingly enough, email now has a reverse age demographic. People over the age of 65 are more likely to open an email message than a user under the age of 25. But email doesn’t answer my quest because for many years users of all ages used email extensively.
Social networking also comes to mind, but even though not many 30 somethings are using MySpace, they are using Facebook and LinkedIn. So, still no answer!
Use the comment field to report any technologies I am overlooking!
Anyone under 20 can text with their eyes closed. Anyone over the age of 30 finds it cumbersome and difficult. Same task, two very different experiences.
I am trying to think back over the years to see if there are other technologies that had such strong age discrimination and am having trouble finding them. The personal computer comes to mind, but its adoption really ran through all age categories. You could find early adopters at all ages.
Interestingly enough, email now has a reverse age demographic. People over the age of 65 are more likely to open an email message than a user under the age of 25. But email doesn’t answer my quest because for many years users of all ages used email extensively.
Social networking also comes to mind, but even though not many 30 somethings are using MySpace, they are using Facebook and LinkedIn. So, still no answer!
Use the comment field to report any technologies I am overlooking!
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