Comments on Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schoolsTypePad2011-04-05T16:12:05ZEwan McIntoshhttps://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/2011/04/hull-shows-why-goves-govt-cant-ban-mobile-phones-in-schools/comments/atom.xml/levis duży i wysoki commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e8780ef1e970d2011-04-12T02:40:47Z2011-04-12T02:40:47Zlevis duży i wysokihttp://www.levissklep.com/m/d/du.htmlthat relates to your blog post - is that the iTouch is a viable device because it doesn't have the...<p>that relates to your blog post - is that the iTouch is a viable device because it doesn't have the mobile phone element to it - which will always (well, maybe not always) be an issue for Primary schools. </p>Tim Meek commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e608a80c8970c2011-04-11T10:22:54Z2011-04-11T10:22:54ZTim MeekI have just read your blog post and wanted to drop you a line. I read your post with two...<p>I have just read your blog post and wanted to drop you a line. I read your post with two interests:</p>
<p>1. I'm from Beverley (near to Hull) so the mention of Hull caught my eye :o)</p>
<p>2. (the important one) I am returning to primary teaching after a 9 year break in Educational Publishing - designing digital content for schools. More on this second point below...</p>
<p>I have been gearing up towards a return to the classroom for a while now, volunteer teaching in my local school. </p>
<p>Over the last few months (since the iTouch Gen 4 release) I've been taking a mini lab of iTouches and iPads into school to work on trying to engage reluctant writers etc As your blog post mentions, there are lots of positives associated with 'instant-on' handhelds, as well as the empowerment and resultant engagement and motivation in the pupils. And with this comes something that I think is the key to unlocking potential... and this is that the pupils start to care. Whilst this level of care can't really be measured as such, I believe it manifests itself in the form of better engagement and interest, improved work ethic, better quality work, and with this, improved self perception. A positive upward spiral.</p>
<p>Related to this is how such Handhelds (and I'm not pro Apple by any means so it could be Android etc) are great for creative project work (video, animation, podcasting etc around a project) that taps into the higher order skills such as appraisal, evaluation etc etc For me, the impact that I've seen on the children I work with has been very encouraging.</p>
<p>One final thing to mention from my perspective - that relates to your blog post - is that the iTouch is a viable device because it doesn't have the mobile phone element to it - which will always (well, maybe not always) be an issue for Primary schools. Of course, the instant on access to the Web etc that you mention as strengths of phones is still a dimension to the iTouch via the schools wireless network. I just wouldn't have got through the school door if I'd been trying to take in mobile phones, yet I am welcomed when I take in the iTouch (and I still able exploit the affordances a web connected device). I know you were writing about a Secondary context. I just wanted to add a Primary dimension.</p>
<p>I know I am not doing anything original (although some of my projects are quite creative in the contextualisation of the technology) and I know this will all be stuff you know already. But, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your blog post and agree with your thoughts.</p>
<p>If any of this is of interest, you can see some snippets of some projects I have run, here:</p>
<p>http://www.dotrythisathome.com/animation-competition/</p>
<p>http://sites.google.com/site/koduxperts/home<br />
</p>John commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e87481d2f970d2011-04-06T16:17:32Z2011-04-06T16:17:32ZJohnhttp://www.educationdx.com/cell_phone.htmlSome students acknowledge the damage done by some with inappropriate use of a cell phone. However, they contend that the...<p>Some students acknowledge the damage done by some with inappropriate use of a cell phone. However, they contend that the majority of students use the cell phone constructively while obeying all school rules. </p>Alistair Fitchett commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e8746ec1e970d2011-04-06T12:05:20Z2011-04-06T13:22:49ZAlistair Fitchetthttp://profile.typepad.com/dukeofharringayfar be it from me to say anything positive about Michael Gove, but can someone, ANYone point me to where...<p>far be it from me to say anything positive about Michael Gove, but can someone, ANYone point me to where he has actually stated that he will make it a policy that says schools MUST ban mobile phones? All I can find is where he has said that teachers should have a power to be able to look at the content on confiscated phones (dubious in itself), but only the News of The World seems to be interpreting this as "mobile phones will be banned in the classroom". And since when did any sane, intelligent person use the NOTW as a credible source of truth and reality?</p>
<p>As I see it there is absolutely no reason why schools should not continue to allow and indeed encourage the use of student-owned mobile devices for learning. Indeed, the encouragement of positive use ought to counter the need for confiscation... School's need to have clearly stated policies on this, with an emphasis on the positive but an acknowledgement of the risks.</p>Michael Pickett commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e20147e3c30542970b2011-04-05T21:48:53Z2011-04-05T21:48:53ZMichael Picketthttp://www.f2mke.co.ukMobile technology - the Smart Phone - has truly arrived. It's been flirting with us for a number of years...<p>Mobile technology - the Smart Phone - has truly arrived. It's been flirting with us for a number of years now, promising sweet access to the regular tasks that we traditionally and reluctantly dragged a charged laptop, or netbook, around with us to do. </p>
<p>I was recently forced into testing the validity of this claim after moving house... No Internet access for about a month. Instead, my iPhone. I was easily able to manage Email, Facebook, my Wordpress blog (http://www.f2mke.co.uk), Twitter, modest editing and uploading of graphics for my blog, Googling, YouTubing, etc., etc. Pretty much everything I do on a typical day with my netbook - and my full blown PC - was achievable in a friendly and properly mobile way. </p>
<p>The e-safe use in the classroom question is an interesting one... We clearly can't go whacking web filtering or monitoring tools on what are most likely privately owned devices; and that's if such software exists. David's stories of "arranging toilet meetings, Facebook comments about other pupils, texting parents & older siblings to get them out of school, texting aggressive parents because they've been pulled up on behavior (who then show up at the front door), sharing video and pictures that are inappropriate for school etc.", are certainly familiar. Is there a balance to be had where good mobile device behaviour equals access to the device in the classroom? Or maybe a lesson is so engaging together with the use of mobile devices that rubbish behaviour isn't even considered? Interested to hear what ideas others have.</p>
<p>I've written a little on the subject at http://goo.gl/aakSb and http://goo.gl/O223Y - but really could do with writing more ;-) </p>Ellen commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e6067d311970c2011-04-05T21:32:26Z2011-04-05T21:32:26ZEllenIn my experience a lot of getting the pupils to respond appropriately with technology is about building respectful, trusting relationships...<p>In my experience a lot of getting the pupils to respond appropriately with technology is about building respectful, trusting relationships and allowing them to feel ownership over what is happening in the classroom. I know this is sometimes easier said than done and may sound simplistic but what is the alternative? </p>Ewan McIntosh commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e20147e3c2e037970b2011-04-05T21:11:27Z2011-04-05T21:11:27ZEwan McIntoshhttp://edu.blogs.com@Lewis - true, but how many expensive laptops are used just for Googling stuff. The (sad) fact is: most of...<p>@Lewis - true, but how many expensive laptops are used just for Googling stuff. The (sad) fact is: most of them, most of the time.</p>
<p>I want to see desktops and laptops freed up for those who do need the super power you're talking about, for creating digital media products, crafting designs and creating longer written reflections.</p>
<p>Fact is, some great potential is lost because the 30 laptops are next door with Mr Smith so his class can search for stuff they could be getting through their 2"x3" screen.<br />
</p>David commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e8742e7ed970d2011-04-05T20:09:31Z2011-04-05T20:09:31ZDavidI've been limited by the school policy that mobile phones should not be seen. As a new ICT teacher I'd...<p>I've been limited by the school policy that mobile phones should not be seen. As a new ICT teacher I'd love to encourage the use of them.</p>
<p>However I'd also love to hear ideas on how we can harness the good and stop the use of phones for the not so good. Arranging toilet meetings, Facebook comments about other pupils, texting parents & older siblings to get them out of school, texting aggressive parents because they've been pulled up on behavior (who then show up at the front door), sharing video and pictures that are inappropriate for school etc. All of these have happened and do happen in our school which while in difficult area is not one with bad discipline?</p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>Lewis Miller commented on 'Hull shows why Gove's Govt can't ban mobile phones in schools'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e2014e8742bc54970d2011-04-05T19:31:04Z2011-04-05T19:31:04ZLewis Miller"That computing power is often superior to that provided by billions of pounds worth of Dell, RM or other well-known...<p>"That computing power is often superior to that provided by billions of pounds worth of Dell, RM or other well-known brands of black boxes thrown into schools each year."</p>
<p>How many kids have a mobile phone with 1Ghz + of processor power, 1Gb + of memory (ram), or a screen capable of 800 x 600 screen resolution.</p>