Teaching Generation Text: Using Cell Phones to Enhance Learning [Paperback]

Lisa Nielsen (Author), Willyn Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1118076877 | ISBN-13: 978-1118076873 | Edition: 1

Mobilizing the power of cell phones to maximize students' learning power

Teaching Generation Text shows how teachers can turn cell phones into an educational opportunity instead of an annoying distraction. With a host of innovative ideas, activities, lessons, and strategies, Nielsen and Webb offer a unique way to use students' preferred method of communication in the classroom. Cell phones can remind students to study, serve as a way to take notes, provide instant, on-demand answers and research, be a great vehicle for home-school connection, and record and capture oral reports or responses to polls and quizzes, all of which can be used to enhance lesson plans and increase motivation.

• Offers tactics for teachers to help their students integrate digital technology with their studies
• Filled with research-based ideas and strategies for using a cell phone to enhance learning
• Provides methods for incorporating cell phones into instruction with a unit planning guide and lesson plan ideas

This innovative new book is filled with new ideas for engaging learners in fun, free, and easy ways using nothing more than a basic, text-enabled cell phone.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Teaching Generation Text is a hands-on resource that shows teachers how to stop fighting and start embracing cell phones for learning and building relationships. Authors Lisa Nielsen and Willyn Webb offer unique ways to use a device students love. Cell phones can remind students to study, be a way to take notes, provide instant answers, and be used for research. For educators, they serve as a vehicle to strengthen the home-school connection, send information to groups, and capture responses to polls and quizzes, all of which can be used to enhance lessons and increase motivation.

With a wealth of innovative ideas, activities, lessons, and strategies, Teaching Generation Text:

• Shows how to use cell phones to support research-based instructional strategies

• Provides building blocks for success, such as acceptable use policies, permissions, safety, classroom management procedures, and assessment

• Includes methods for incorporating cell phones into instruction with a unit planning guide and lesson plan ideas

"Teaching Generation Text is a must read for anyone serious about infusing technology in the classroom in a way that honors the culture of K–12 students. Webb and Nielsen not only explain how cell phones and texting can be used for multiple purposes in a way that relative novices can understand, but they also provide explicit guidance regarding how they can be used to augment well known instructional strategies."
—Robert J. Marzano, C.E.O., Marzano Research Laboratory, author, Classroom Instruction that Works

"This book would be a great asset to those who are finally coming around to the idea of mobile devices in the classroom."
—Will Richardson, "Learner in Chief" at Connective Learning, author, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms

About the Author

Lisa Nielsen and Willyn Webb are experts in the use of cell phones in education. They speak to audiences around the globe at conferences, via webinars, on radio programs, and through online classes. Lisa Nielsen works with schools in New York City to innovate learning with technology. Her blog, The Innovative Educator, was named a top 20 education blog by Discovery Education. Willyn Webb has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. She is also a licensed professional counselor and has written four books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118076877
• ISBN-13: 978-1118076873
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #495,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good idea to utilize cell phones January 19, 2012

By Elisa 20 TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Not sure how students feel about having cell phones linked in to education, but I think it's a great idea, since its what's most used.

That said, while I approve of the "texting teacher/student" dialogue described here, I don't think cell phones belong in the classroom. People are simply too addicted to them (note the recent "dining with cell phones in middle of table" idea that caught on so fast).

Nielsen is forward thinking and this requires an open minded read of this book. (Even the Acknowledgment page is rather good--a chart of their names, address etc, and websites).

As a parent/teacher I like the idea of nagging students about homework, reports and other deadlines via their #1 social addiction.

But this is a positive book. It introduces cell phones FOR TEACHERS' use in the first section, with the smart idea that to use it with students we first need to see cell phones' educational/communication value in our own practices. Then she shows how to expand your own practice to engage learners (this is the bulk of the book--including Google Voice, Flickr, Twitter, Com-casting, and a lot more--Chacha, TextNovel, Wiffitti).

Nielsen tells you "How to" very clearly use these sites. And, best of all, gives lessons plans to try with your students (Gr 5-12).

Creative, interesting and inexpensive way to try the digital classroom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars If You Can't Beat Them ..... April 13, 2013

By Susan K. Stewart VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I selected this book because it was intriguing to me to take something that is banned and use it for good. Maybe it's the rebel in me. Why not use something that many kids have surgically implanted in their hand and allow them to learn with it.

The ideas presented in this book are not just "use a smartphone to look up a fact" or "send me a text if you need help with your homework." The authors, Lisa Nielsen and Willyn Webb, have provided full lesson plans from teachers who have used them. While most of the plans require the use of apps, which some students may not have access to, they will engage some students who might not care about the subject at hand.

One lesson, for example, is a poetry lesson. It's designed to be used at the end of a unit on poetry. How many boys slump in their seats during the poetry class? How many of the more technical minded students join them? With a lesson that involves something more than reading Shakespeare's sonnets or trying to remember what iambic parameter is these students will be engaged.

Nielsen and Webb have included ways to use the ideas in their book for professional development. The reader can use plans presented to train their peers.

Of course, probably the biggest hurdle is overcoming the resistance to using cell phones in school at all. Many, if not most, schools have banned their use in the classroom. Some have gone so far as to ban cell phones on campus. I'm never sure banning anything works. "Teaching Generation Text" includes a six-plan plan to overcome resistance and break the ban. Sample agreements with administrators, non-teaching staff, teachers, parents, and students are included.

The book is said to be used for grades 5 to 12. I think fifth grade is too young to be implementing this type of program. Yes, some of these students have cell phones at school. But many have not quite learned the discipline necessary to utilize them properly. Some at this age are still grasping the fundamentals of reading, writing, and math.

In addition to educators reading this book, I urge parents to read it. You may find ways to engage your child in learning activities, even if the school doesn't endorse this method.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Can't Beat Them... March 11, 2012

By The Lunar Staff VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

The old adage goes, "...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em". And since kids are going to have these devices more and more at a progressive rate, it is only wise to take advantage of them.

However, I think I need to play the Devil's advocate here. I do have some concerns about the concept, although it does seem practical and innovative, there are certain things that aren't addressed.

One is from a safety stand point.

There are preditorial issues at stake from a position of trust. Especially in the high school environment, when the educator is not much older than the students they are teaching.

Next is from a marketing standpoint.

We currently live in society where we are constantly bombarded with advertising. By having this data mined information, what is stopping the educator or administration from...

a. marketing or soliciting to our children directly?
b. propagandizing?
c. selling the student's information to a marketing firm?

The other is boundary issues.

We are continually being monitored and tracked with smartphone technology and education is becoming ever so impeding on the family structure, what is stopping them from tracking student whereabouts, via GPS or other invasive apps, for whatever reason?

I understand that these are small issues to be addresses, but they are big issues to someone who will later have to deal with them.

In general, the concept has great advantages and is not just limited to education. This concept can be used and applied in environments such as businesses, churches, and even politics.

Overall, it is a very good book full of scenarios and ideas. It is a good starting point and will catch on... I'm sure of it.