Purpose: To model, inform, and encourage, the educational use of technology that the majority of upper elementary and secondary students carry every day. Particants will be shown best practices in schools and classrooms using cellphones. Participants will be shown a model technology use plan (TUP)to assess the installed base of cells, the instructional objectives at grade level, and the integration of cell-based technology activities and lessons to meet the instructional objectives with the technology. Participants will learn about the costs of cellphone plans that impact learning and plans pending that may support instructional objectives with cell technologies at lower level costs. Participants will be given a demonstration of cell training on their own machins to model the potential of the devices, currently underused.

Outline

I. Data on student intelligence(s) will be presented. It will be presented that much of the lower level thinking skills requirements of the curriculum can be met with the 1:1 technology in cells.
II. Features (and power) of the handheld cellphones will be demonstrated. Some of these will be newer onboard technologies.
III. Common features will be demonstrated with a brief training on participants own cells, in their own hands, followed by a now-accessible learning activity.
IV. Best practices now being used in schoools will be presented, at varying grade levels.
V. Best practices will be extended with available features on existing cellphones
VI Technology Use Plan for adapting cell use in participant schools will be demonstrated
VII. Cell plans will be outlined including plans pending (hopefully actualized by June 2009) that increase inclusion for students and families.
VIII. A demonstration of coming features of cellphones and the impact on digital citizens.
IX. The importance and inevitability of handhelds (cells) in near-future commerce, democratic practises, and education.

Supporting Research

Intelligence data on the "Flynn Effect" from variety of sources, including Scientic American, and psychology journals. The data on cellphone penetration from industry sources, insider mobile blogs, and the mobile unit at Discovery Communications. Cellphone features presented from trade publications. Information on plans and educational programs from the CTIA (Cellular Telephone Industry Association) in Washington, DC. Best practice data will be pulled from educational publications and educator networks.

Presenter Background

Ongoing work with the mobile unit at Discovery Communications; extensive presentations at regional and national conferences, including an introductory presentation at NECC 2008. Recognized expert by broadcast television (20/20 interview), and numerous print publications including Edutopia, Technology& Learning, Education Week, and others. Experience of more than twenty years as teacher trainer and session presenter.