Cellphones To Revolutionize Classroom Studies

Kids

oi-Staff

By Super

Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 16:10

While the rest of the world plans on absolute ban on cell phones, there is a particular country that still thinks that cell phones in schools are not such a bad idea.

Schools in New Zealand may soon encourage cellphones in the classroom, courtesy the launch of a hi-tech teaching tool, in which students text answers to teachers.

The new device, called Activexpression, enables teachers to ask questions on the board through a computer, and students can then text their answer through their Activexpression cellphone. The device immediately produces a graph or chart on the board displaying the students' answers, allowing teachers to gauge the class's understanding at a glance.

A Southland Girls' High School class has already started using the technology. "It is quite fun. It's more fun than just doing maths normally or writing it out. Everybody enjoys it," the NZPA quoted Year 7 student Caitlin Wood, as saying.

Niki Davis, Canterbury University professor of e-learning, said that incorporating text messaging was just one example of the 'ecology of learning". "It's a tremendous opportunity. It's what students are doing these days. We can get them to engage in learning and assessment," Davis said.

"Teachers find it exciting that they can go on to the same page as the students," Davis added. She said that the system enables teachers to immediately grasp the class's understanding of a topic.

With such progress, it might finally gather world acceptance.