Barbara Kolnik- I.S. 126Q Albert Shanker School for Visual and Performing Arts

Aren’t you tired of being yelled at for having your cell phone out in class? How many times have you had your cell phone taken away when all you were doing was setting a reminder for a project due date? It’s time for schools to change their policy and embrace the technology that drives society. You will be reviewing the current school cell phone policy and creating an action plan for effective cell phone use during the school day.

TASK

Following the Public Policy Analyst, you are to:

· State the cell phone policy at I.S. 126, The Albert Shanker School for Visual or Performing Arts.

· What are the drawbacks of using cell phones during class?

· What are the benefits of allowing students to use their cell phones during school?

· Complete the seven handouts.

· Use the PPA handouts to guide your research.

· The goal of your group is to research effective ways cell phones can be used in the classroom for both teachers and students and develop new policy guidelines.

· Write a letter to Mr. Angueira persuading him to adopt your action plan for effective cell phone use guidelines during class time. You must include at least three educational applications that can support your action plan. Present this action plan to the School Leadership Team.

PROCESS/RESOURCES

· Complete TIPS PPA worksheets 1-6.

o Define the Problem: Handout #1

o Gather Evidence of the Problem: Create a survey on cell phone use. Use Handout #2.

o Identify Causes of the Problem: Handout #3

o Evaluate a Policy: Handout #4

o Develop at least two Solutions by filling out Handout #5.

o Select the Best Solution: Handout #6

· Once you have chosen your best cell phone policy, write an action plan (2-3 pages in length) to be submitted to Mr. Angueira persuading him to adopt your action plan for cell phone use in school. In your action plan make sure:

o Identify the problem.

o Identify the current policy.

o Provide evidence to support the problem.

o Describe your action plan.

o Describe three educational applications for phones.

o Provide evidence to support effective use of cell phones in schools.

o Provide a persuasive closing statement/conclusion.

o Provide a list of resources.

· Present your action plan to the School Leadership Team by giving an oral presentation no longer than 5 minutes in duration.

o Refer to rubric for guidelines

You may use the following resources to gather evidence for your project:

· Practical Ideas for Using Mobile Phones in the Classroom

· Teach with Cell Phones

· Texting in the Classroom: Not Just a Distraction

· Cell Phones Welcome in some Classrooms

· Video- Mobile Learning in the Classroom

· NYC DOE School Policy on Cell Phones

· NYC DOE Discipline Code

· How to use Cell Phones in the Classroom

· Teachers Incorporate Cell Phones into Lessons

· 73% of Teachers Use Cell phones for Classroom Activities

· 12 Principles of Mobile Learning

· https://www.polleverywhere.com/

· Ms. Vaughan’s Teaching Resources: Apps for Smart Phones and iPad

· 18 Apps that put the Smart in Smartphone

· http://educationapps.com/

· 6 Top Smartphone Apps

EVALUTION

Follow the hyperlinks below to view the rubrics your teacher will use to grade your work. You will be graded on your persuasive writing and oral presentation.

Action Plan (refer to page 14 of the PDF file)

Oral Presentation1

CONCLUSION

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your first WebQuest using the Public Policy Analyst format. This project has hopefully given you insight into the steps used to accurately solve a problem. The hope is that you were able to understand the importance of cell phones being used both appropriately and effectively during class time.

NYS CCLS STANDARDS

http://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/nysp12cclsela.pdf

Refer to pages 55 - 57 for Writing standards grades 6-8 Standards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11