Will tablets (the eDGe) be a disruptive influence in the classroom?

The Toronto Star ran an interesting article today regarding the use of cellphones in the classroom by students (basically elementary and secondary): http://www.thestar.com/article/86134...-mcguinty-says.

Most people's reaction (as evidenced in the Comments) is that the thought is outrageous, in effect handing the control of the asylum over to the residents.

Yet, on the other hand, is this in fact not inevitable as tablets and devices like the eDGe are promoted for use in the classroom? If you have such a device in your hand, you're going to have full social networking capability, not to mention full and immediate access to Google and Wikipedia, for example, in addition to the use intended by the teacher. Obviously, no one's going to be talking into these devices - the cacophany clearly isn't allowable.

Or will schools have to somehow lock down these devices so you can't IM in the middle of class? And how would you do this unless the school is supplying the devices, much like corporations provide locked-down desktops and laptops to their employees?

Ultimately, while this discussion seems too early perhaps, we indeed are looking at a future where we'll have to come to grips with instant communication and information retrieval in the classroom. And how are we could to adjust to this without sinking into complete anarchy and loss of educational efficacy?

I've often wondered about this. I tend to agree the the commenters... if adults can't restrain themselves, I don't see how we can expect kids and young adults to behave any differently. Would there be some way to block the signal within the classroom rather than locking down the devices?

If by "signal" you mean the cell signal, then yes you can install cell phone blocking devices (which raises the question, what do you do in an emergency?). If you mean wifi, then you make the devices useless as they won't be able to communicate with the school servers, etc.

You could block certain ports from accessing the Internet (e.g. IM apps), and you could block certain websites (e.g. FaceBook) via a proxy server, but both can be worked around in various ways.

I'm sure they could block cell phone (3G) signals across the board. If they want kids to use some network/internet resources for class via wifi the school routers can whitelist sites pertinent to curriculum and block everything else.

Last year I took a class in education, that involved learning various teaching methods and finding unusual ways to address learning in the many "learning styles" all individuals have. We learned ways to make one lesson address visual versus auditory learners etc. This article, detailing how one teacher uses cell phones (and other devices) in her classroom, was one of our lessons. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/1..._n_372710.html
I think anything can be become a distraction, or can be used as a learning aid. It's up to the teachers to not engage in a power struggle, but to turn the technology we have available into a tool.

If by "signal" you mean the cell signal, then yes you can install cell phone blocking devices (which raises the question, what do you do in an emergency?).

I was thinking more along the lines of blocking 'very locally' -- meaning within a classroom (classroom independent), but leaving the campus signal unrestricted. Kind of like having a bubble within each classroom, ideally, one that can be turned on and off with a switch.

If you mean wifi, then you make the devices useless as they won't be able to communicate with the school servers, etc

You could block certain ports from accessing the Internet (e.g. IM apps), and you could block certain websites (e.g. FaceBook) via a proxy server, but both can be worked around in various ways. .

I understand the port blocking (understand I am not a 'tech' person), but, with a particular problem I had a few years ago, with a device called 'Alpha Shield' (which I had installed in front of my router), it was not allowing a port that I had opened on the router. The IT at my ISP was quite interested in this. The outcome, with him working at his end, and mine, was to take this device off the line. That was the only option that solved it. So, I am going back to that, and assuming that the blocking process can happen hierarchly (is that a word?)?

Ultimately, some genius may solve this??? Think of the bucks they'll make???

A segment on the evening news last night asked a number of students what they thought. Most loved the idea (of course). However, most also unabashedly said they would continue to text friends about this and that, with access to online information the furthest thing from their minds. In some ways, people who think kids will use Internet devices to actually learn in the classroom are perhaps deluding themselves... And, perhaps like all technology, people have to learn appropriate usage (like not talking on a cell phone during a movie at the cinema).

It is illegal in most states to block cell phone transmissions, except for particularly sensitive areas like hospitals. Not an option for schools, but they can and do shut down wi-fi signals as they please, which would obviously prevent non-3g devices like the Edge from surfing.

I don't think blocking is the answer. I am running an in-class experiment next week that requires all of the students to bring their laptops/netbooks and connect via wi-fi to participate. They will get to see the results of their actions in real-time. I couldn't do this if we had to use a computer lab because we don't have a single lab large enough. I could have the students join in from other locations but then we could not discuss the results as they happened.

I think we have to be concerned about keeping students engaged. If we do that then they won't be constantly on their phones texting and what not. Sometimes, the gadgets can help us do that.

Originally Posted by lisa031825

I think we have to be concerned about keeping students engaged. If we do that then they won't be constantly on their phones texting and what not. Sometimes, the gadgets can help us do that.

I totally agree, technology is part of the students lives, make it part of their learning experience. The link I posted above shows how well this can work. One of my required courses for my degree was technology in he classroom, and how to best utilize it.

Originally Posted by lisa031825

I think we have to be concerned about keeping students engaged. If we do that then they won't be constantly on their phones texting and what not. Sometimes, the gadgets can help us do that.

Yes, but keeping students engaged is often a euphemism for entertaining them in class. It is extremely difficult, and in many cases impossible, to mix true education and entertainment appealing enough to drag them away from what they habitually do otherwise. If you can accomplish it, that's great, but in general I suspect cell phone bans and wi-fi shutdowns are more effective than less coercive measures, especially in K-12 where students aren't there by choice. I know the fable about the wind and the sun trying to get the person's jacket off, but unfortunately no teacher is comparable to the sun.

Originally Posted by Chubulor

Yes, but keeping students engaged is often a euphemism for entertaining them in class. It is extremely difficult, and in many cases impossible, to mix true education and entertainment appealing enough to drag them away from what they habitually do otherwise

Educators need to be cautious that they don't pander to the students in a self-deluding way. Up-to-date textbooks with all the pages intact are perhaps a greater and more immediately beneficial tactic, for example. Going to school is much like going to the dentist - it's not meant to be "fun", but it *is* necessary and ultimately beneficial. Gadgets are much like the dentist's tools - I'd rather see a modern shiny stainless steel pick and drill than a rust scraper in my dentist's hand. A well equipped dentist's office makes going to the dentist much easier (and effective).

One thing I found about an eReader is that it engaged me to read more than I previously did - definitely because of the gadgetry involved (maybe it's a guy thing). If gadgets draw and maintain students' interest better and serves (not replaces) the process of learning, then this is great.

Definitely the use of slates in the classroom, I'd say, is inevitable, but, as we did with motor vehicles in the late 1800's, we have to learn how to use them safely

Up to date textbooks, with all pages intact, is just a dream for most of the schools today. Education cutbacks have affected all levels, from salaries to materials, in most schools. It is up to the educator to find a way to utilize resources available, from many sources.

Originally Posted by cheyennedonna

Up to date textbooks, with all pages intact, is just a dream for most of the schools today

Sadly so. And a $500 device per student per year is even more out of reach for parents and school boards...

Originally Posted by cheyennedonna

Up to date textbooks, with all pages intact, is just a dream for most of the schools today. Education cutbacks have affected all levels, from salaries to materials, in most schools. It is up to the educator to find a way to utilize resources available, from many sources.

Hate to get all political here, but per-pupil spending in most non-rural districts has actually been rising over the past decade. The problem is administrative fat soaking up those increases and more; and administrators know that threatening to lay off teachers and cut extracurricular activities is an effective way to extort enough tax money to save their own bloated salaries and those of their colleagues.

But, teachers don't have a say in that, so I agree that working with the devices students have "for free" is an appealing way to stretch the actual classroom budget.

Originally Posted by borisb

Going to school is much like going to the dentist - it's not meant to be "fun", but it *is* necessary and ultimately beneficial. Gadgets are much like the dentist's tools - I'd rather see a modern shiny stainless steel pick and drill than a rust scraper in my dentist's hand. A well equipped dentist's office makes going to the dentist much easier (and effective).

Not sure how good that analogy is...the dentist's tools are going to be inserted into your mouth and possibly comingling with your blood, so there are concerns about how clean and precisely crafted they are that don't exist with classroom materials.

Maybe I'm just old school, but in my opinion if you can't learn algebra or trigonometry or calculus using a textbook written in 1900, you can't learn it period. It's not like there have been new developments, which is what makes me scratch my head as to why we're always in such a hurry to get new editions of textbooks.

Obviously, fields like science and history that have new developments there is a legit concern. But that's what the internet is for in my opinion.