Comments on: A question, phoned in from the bus http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/ A weblog about teaching English & integrating technology Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:09:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Anna http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-846 Anna Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:48:09 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-846 Having spent a week trying to reach my yearbook editor by normal means (home phone and her cell phone), I realize how behind I am in using cell phones. Only recently have my husband and I consented to adding texting to our service. Until now I would only use my cell phone in dire emergencies. Simply using my students' chosen form of communication might increase my ability to reach them if only to finish the yearbook! I cringe at the idea of students having cell phones available in during school; however, after reading Dawn's initial blog I may have to change my way of thinking. These words caught my atention: "If teaching is helping students learn, then why are there any rules at all about how to do that?" As a teacher, I am willing to do whatever it takes to help a student. Why not extend the use of the cell phone? Having spent a week trying to reach my yearbook editor by normal means (home phone and her cell phone), I realize how behind I am in using cell phones. Only recently have my husband and I consented to adding texting to our service. Until now I would only use my cell phone in dire emergencies. Simply using my students’ chosen form of communication might increase my ability to reach them if only to finish the yearbook!

I cringe at the idea of students having cell phones available in during school; however, after reading Dawn’s initial blog I may have to change my way of thinking. These words caught my atention: “If teaching is helping students learn, then why are there any rules at all about how to do that?” As a teacher, I am willing to do whatever it takes to help a student. Why not extend the use of the cell phone?

]]> By: Jessica Brogley http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-845 Jessica Brogley Mon, 18 May 2009 21:52:08 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-845 I love the example Dawn. I only wish there were more examples like this. Unfortunately, most of my students aren't using them appropriately. Maybe we can turn the corner soon. My husband is a softball coach and because he isn't in the same building as his players, relies on texting as a means of communication. He is thankful for it. I love the example Dawn. I only wish there were more examples like this. Unfortunately, most of my students aren’t using them appropriately. Maybe we can turn the corner soon.

My husband is a softball coach and because he isn’t in the same building as his players, relies on texting as a means of communication. He is thankful for it.

]]> By: Dawn http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-838 Dawn Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:23:40 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-838 so much depends upon getting a good teacher ready with cell phone for grateful students. : ) Thanks for the ChaCha link. Gail, you're always on top of the new technologies. so much depends
upon

getting a good
teacher

ready with cell
phone

for grateful
students.

: )

Thanks for the ChaCha link. Gail, you’re always on top of the new technologies.

]]> By: blogwalker http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-837 blogwalker Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:40:49 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-837 Dawn, In the rare event that you might not be accessible when your students call;-), they might enjoy http://chacha.com. If you haven't seen this tool yet, you simply phone in to ChaCha, ask your question, and wait for a text message answer. ChaCha has real people behind the service. It's a great tool for the times teachers or students don’t have access to the web. Phone # = 1-800-2chacha. Text = 242242. And I'll leave you with a phone message my son, who was heading off to the first day of his Fall 2008 classes, left on my cell: "So much depends on getting a good teacher." Gail Dawn,

In the rare event that you might not be accessible when your students call;-), they might enjoy http://chacha.com. If you haven’t seen this tool yet, you simply phone in to ChaCha, ask your question, and wait for a text message answer. ChaCha has real people behind the service. It’s a great tool for the times teachers or students don’t have access to the web. Phone # = 1-800-2chacha. Text = 242242.

And I’ll leave you with a phone message my son, who was heading off to the first day of his Fall 2008 classes, left on my cell: “So much depends on getting a good teacher.”

Gail

]]> By: Pam Pleviak http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-836 Pam Pleviak Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:58:34 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-836 We're experimenting with VoiceThread and discovered that users can call in a comment with it. That could have some interesting applications too. We’re experimenting with VoiceThread and discovered that users can call in a comment with it. That could have some interesting applications too.

]]> By: Dawn http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-835 Dawn Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:14:39 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-835 Hi Bill, Glad you're still checking in on me. : ) Pennsylvania might as well try to ban the hair on kids heads. EVERYONE has a phone! The day will come, though, when educators re-think the typical educational tool kit. I think it will be forced on us. Hi Bill,
Glad you’re still checking in on me. : ) Pennsylvania might as well try to ban the hair on kids heads. EVERYONE has a phone! The day will come, though, when educators re-think the typical educational tool kit. I think it will be forced on us.

]]> By: Dawn http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-834 Dawn Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:11:36 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-834 Hi Carla, You would think it would go without saying, but I've learned to take nothing for granted, especially polite conventions. I seriously think that manners or social appropriateness is not a message taught in a lot of homes. I see crazy behavior at school. I'm sure you do, too. For example, does it make you crazy to have a student just get up, while you're talking to the class, walk right in front of you to go throw away a piece of paper or something equally less urgent? When we teach Internet etiquette, we are teaching online manners. I do think there are hours when it's okay to call. Not before 8 a.m. is standard isn't it? But even telemarketers need to learn the evening hours. I also think Sundays used to be off limits, right? Hi Carla,
You would think it would go without saying, but I’ve learned to take nothing for granted, especially polite conventions. I seriously think that manners or social appropriateness is not a message taught in a lot of homes. I see crazy behavior at school. I’m sure you do, too. For example, does it make you crazy to have a student just get up, while you’re talking to the class, walk right in front of you to go throw away a piece of paper or something equally less urgent? When we teach Internet etiquette, we are teaching online manners. I do think there are hours when it’s okay to call. Not before 8 a.m. is standard isn’t it? But even telemarketers need to learn the evening hours. I also think Sundays used to be off limits, right?

]]> By: Bill http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-833 Bill Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:08:07 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-833 I often hear about teachers who use cell phones as a way of communicating with their students and it gives me hope that we will be able to move past assuming that students will only use these tools for nefarious reasons. Then I hear things like the entire state of Pennsylvania trying to pass legislation to outlaw cell phones in schools and I wonder how long it will take for phones to be seen as tools rather than disruptions. I often hear about teachers who use cell phones as a way of communicating with their students and it gives me hope that we will be able to move past assuming that students will only use these tools for nefarious reasons. Then I hear things like the entire state of Pennsylvania trying to pass legislation to outlaw cell phones in schools and I wonder how long it will take for phones to be seen as tools rather than disruptions.

]]> By: Carla http://dhogue.edublogs.org/2009/03/02/a-question-phoned-in-from-the-bus/comment-page-1/#comment-832 Carla Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:02:54 +0000 http://dhogue.edublogs.org/?p=110#comment-832 A friend, a college professor, embraced the same approach, but with college students it backfired. She received messages at all hours, and students became frustrated and impatient when she didn't respond immediately. She finally had to set some limits, like "No messages before 8:00 AM or after 6 PM." One would think that would go without saying, but it didn't. As we all move into this new way of thinking, we may need to emphasize the value of courtesy. A friend, a college professor, embraced the same approach, but with college students it backfired. She received messages at all hours, and students became frustrated and impatient when she didn’t respond immediately. She finally had to set some limits, like “No messages before 8:00 AM or after 6 PM.” One would think that would go without saying, but it didn’t. As we all move into this new way of thinking, we may need to emphasize the value of courtesy.

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