Stephanie Vaughan - I.S. 126Q Albert Shanker School for Visual and Performing Arts

INTRODUCTION

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 No 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.

· Create a presentation in a format of your choice (PowerPoint, poster, etc) that states the problem, current policy and identifies a new cell phone action plan. Include at least five educational applications for cell phones that should be able to be utilized during class time. Refer to the rubric for further guidelines.

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, create a visual presentation in a format of your choice (PowerPoint, poster, etc). In your visual presentation, make sure to:

o Identify the problem.

o Identify the current policy.

o Provide evidence to support the problem.

o Describe your action plan.

o Describe five educational applications for phones.

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

o Provide Pictures

o Provide a list of resources.

· Present your visual presentation and action plan to your class (no more than 5 minutes in duration).

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 Cellphones 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

EVALUATION

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

Oral Presentation1

Presentation2

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