On this episode of Spark: Sex ed, floppy disks, and cellies in the classroom. Click below to listen to the whole show, or download the MP3 (runs 54:00).
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Smartphones in the classroom
Many schools have policies that ban or restrict the use of cell phones in class. But in Homer Spring’s Algebra I class at Dixon High School, cell phones are part of the curriculum. Nora talked to Homer Spring and Marie Bjerede about Project K-nect, a pilot program that puts smartphones in high school math classrooms. Then, Nora checked in with teacher Lisa Noble for her take on cellies in the classroom. (Runs 21:57)
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- Going cold turkey: Students in study crack without media
- Calgary classrooms go digital
- Nora’s full interview with Homer Spring
- Nora’s full interview with Marie Bjerede
Floppy Disks
Here’s another conundrum for teachers: explaining old-time technology to kids. And not just in that crusty old “when I was a kid, you had to be home to answer your phone!” way, either. Nora’s been thinking about this recently because of a post at Daring Fireball. On it, John Gruber says the new edition of Microsoft Word for Mac will still have a little floppy disc icon as the symbol for “save,” even though Apple stopped selling computers with floppy discs a long time ago. (Runs 1:47)
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Media Fasting
We often talk about the potential power for using digital communications tools to do collaborative learning, and to take learning outside the classroom. On the other hand, it’s important sometimes to get unplugged and just experience the world around you unmediated by the screen. Enter the concept of the media fast: pulling oneself away from the computer (or netbook or cell phone) for a set period of time. That kind of digital cleanse has been going on for as long digital media itself. But for a growing number of college students, it’s not a choice. College professors are increasingly assigning media fasts. We sent reporter Julia Barton to find out the results of one such recent assignment. (Runs 10:01)
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- Toughest college test: No cell phone, no Facebook
- Jason Kaufman from the Berkman Center
- James Sturm in Slate
Sex Tech
Asking about sex seems to come naturally for very young kids, but it starts getting a little more awkward when you’re a teen. Debbie Pacheco visited the Sex::Tech< conference to investigate how new technologies are being used to spread sexual health information to young people. (Runs 11:23)
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Episode Details
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Music and sound effects used in this episode:
- “Countdown” by Corsica_S
- “Wadidyusay?” by Zap Mama
- “Beat 1” by Pradio
- Music from “Ep. 15: Music For Walking the Dog” by Podington Bear
- “el mejor amigo del hombre by airtone” by airtone
- “High Noon Dub” by Neurowaxx
- Clips from Human Reproduction (1947) and Gardening (1940)
- “L.O.R.D. 2010 (Remastered)” by echoed
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[Original images by dcJohn, blakespot, Esparta, ISIS.Inc]
I'm pleased to see – based on the last two weeks' programs – that Spark has moved to a "segment based publishing" model like Quirks and Quarks has had for some time: I can listen to individual segments as well as the whole show.
This is especially handy as I can download the segments (I know Spark doesn't provide links for this, but anyone with a little browser savvy, or the right Firefox plug-in can do this), swap out the "broadcast segments" with the "full interview segments" and make an "extended remix" for my iPod – something I've been wanting to do for awhile, but have been too lazy to sit down with an actual mp3 editor to snip-and-splice one together each week.
Much appreciated.
This is a good past, I like the segmentation too.
Agreed about the segments!
Also, Nora gets mucho bonus points for using the word "bailiwick."
Using the term 'bailiwick' is one of my bailiwicks!
Interesting show – but I couldn't help but wish that there'd been more discussion along the lines of the teacher in Peterborough about the costs of smartphones for students. Smartphones are expensive, both as pieces of hardware and for their monthly data plans, and I doubt there's any class anywhere in North America that has 100% smartphone penetration. How is a child from a poorer family going to be able to keep up with kids who can afford the technology? I remember scientific calculators being somewhat difficult for some folks to afford, but at least teachers could have some extra models in their classrooms. It seems to me that it would be much more difficult for a teacher to have extra cellular telephones around for kids to use in class.
Absolutely, an excellent point! As we start to look more at collaborative learning, equality of access is essential.
I would agree that smartphones are an expensive technology and that there is no way that 100% of students have a smartphone but, I don't think that the students should be required to provide the technology. School boards should start considering a different model of funding IT in the classroom. Smartphones and/or NetBooks could replace the traditional desktop computer as a research tool for students and teachers in the classroom. Many teachers are now struggling to include technology in their lessons due to the lack of access to a computer lab. Netbooks,smartphones or iPod Touches and a wireless connection could be a solution to the overcrowding of school computer labs and to declining technology budgets. These mobile technologies may be expensive but they still haven't reached the cost of a new desktop computer.
I would agree that smartphones are an expensive technology and that there is no way that 100% of students have a smartphone but, I don't think that the students should be required to provide the technology. School boards should start considering a different model of funding IT in the classroom. Smartphones and/or NetBooks could replace the traditional desktop computer as a research tool for students and teachers in the classroom. Many teachers are now struggling to include technology in their lessons due to the lack of access to a computer lab. Netbooks,smartphones or iPod Touches and a wireless connection could be a solution to the overcrowding of school computer labs and to declining technology budgets. These mobile technologies may be expensive but they still haven't reached the cost of a new desktop computer.
Some people say I am addicted to Technology or Facebook or the Internet. And while yes I am a web designer and yes I do spend a lot of time online. I love my time off-line.
I go for bike rides and I swim for an hour at least twice a week. I love how all the technology goes into a bag and gets put away. (And would never purchase one of those water proof cases for your iPod. )
I go camping and turn off everything but the actual phone part of my iPhone off.
I bring books and wouldn't want to read from a iPad. A vacation is a vacation!
Thank you for this entire show. I am a teacher and appreciate the discussion and focus on this extremely relevant topic. These are issues that need to be considered at and resolved ASAP.
Talking to Lisa, the teacher from Peterborough, ON, was a real wake up call. Lots of issues to be sorted out…and soon.
Oooh, I love "productive disconnect"!
Good piece on Cell phones in the classroom… but i was surprised that there was no mention of the 'potential health concerns'. Everyone from Lawrence Lessig to Gentleman's Quarterly have been warning about the lurking dangers of exposure to cell and wifi radiation. (it would be tough to give up my own smart phone… but the studies are starting to stack up pretty ominously)
See the GQ Article entitled: Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous to Your Health