Journal #4

From Toy to Tool
Liz Kolb
This article is about how cell phones can be used as a teaching tool in the classroom. Kolb points out that cell phones can be used to create audioblogs which are recordings done on cell phones that instantly get posted on a blog site such as Blogger. This method of using their cell phones allows students to record/store interviews and take pictures that can later be used to enhance their school work. Using their cell phones to make this audio blogs eliminates the use of expensive cameras and other recording devices that students might not have access to. Audioblogs, Kolb says, can be applied to most subjects addressed in schools. In her article, Kolb also discusses how to make an audioblog, the sites available for students to create their blogs, concerns about privacy, cost and copyright laws that are involved in the process.

1. How could I implement the use of audioblogs to help my students in a social studies lesson that focuses the importance of diversity in cultures.
I could use this lesson as a way of students to become active participants in creating an artifact that is made up of interviews of people of different races and cultures that they are acquainted with. I could assign them a list of questions to ask and the students would then post their interviews on their bloggs. They would then be asked to view each blogg and make determinations about the similarities and differences that make each race and culture rich and unique.

2. What could my students and I do for those that because of limited resources cannot afford to have a cell phone?
I think that my students and I could do the following three things: One, we could share our phones with other students. Two, we could research for the less expensive plan available and then we could have activities that would involve students bringing any spare change from their homes such as pennies, nickles etc. Each month we would count the money to help pay for the cell phone services. Also we could recycle cans each month and make money while at the same time making the world a better place.
I think that by participating in these activities students would learn that by working together they can accomplish a goal and at the same time help their fellow students.