Texting as Teaching Tool
July 2, 2010 by Kathy McManus
According to an AOL News story, teachers around the country are beginning to embrace rather than fight texting in class, utilizing it for everything “from Spanish to science, from homework help to exam reminders.” At Chester Middle School in New York, text messaging has been used to teach poetry. “If the kids are motivated they do better than if they’re not,” says the school’s principal. “The kids are very motivated about doing this.”
“Make a place for the giant thumb,” says the Charlotte Observer, noting that “pragmatists argue that a war on texting is unwinnable.” According to the Observer, a new study suggests that “texting may actually help teens’ writing in informal essays and many other writing assignments.” In response to the essay question, “What does it mean to be happy?,” teens who used “more texting shortcuts performed better than colleagues who did not.”
“You’ve got a classroom full of students walking in with a computer in their pocket,” says a teacher in California. “Why would you not use it?” Because, one reader wrote, “It is time for us to make more of a leadership role as teachers and not give in to the pressures created by media or the kids themselves. If you give an inch, they will take a mile.”
Does texting belong in the classroom?
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9 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
July 7, 2010 by Sayo Martin
If texting is used to promote creativity and learning I don't see any harm in using it. However, before we teach children alternatives to the rule, we should teach them what the rules are.
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September 17, 2010 by Frank
The extension span of your children is about as long as you can throw them. We owe it to them to help them grow in a matter that is helpful to them. All of your kids know are learning how to use cellphones,computer, facebook,twitter, my speace you name it. Why shouldnt we use this technogial to help them learn.
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March 31, 2011 by nik
you guys are sweet have texting all the time!!!!!!!!!!!(:
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March 31, 2011 by nik
hello my friends we have alot in common!!
July 14, 2010 by Tim Connors
The world is changing and students and technology are at the forefront. Leaders, including teachers, need to embrace new ways in which students can and want to receive information/content. It's all about successful learning and not about "we don't do it that way".
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August 8, 2010 by Bongo
Children of the day can get really turned off with the conservative way of aquiring knowledge and skill. We need alternative and equally successful methods that will infact ensure a positive future for our young people. If texting is the answer, then so be it.
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October 25, 2010 by alex balandran
itz bad to text :)
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January 12, 2011 by Mickie
Wow, what a way to motivate students to learn. I'd like to see their faces if I were to say, "Take out your cell phones." instead of take out a pencil and a piece of paper. The cheers would be resounding! What a great idea. Kudos, Mickie
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September 24, 2011 by Jennifer moore
Just an observation: Look at the grammar, spelling and sentence structure of the (majority of) posts supporting texting. In fact (yep it is always 2 words) we could try to EXTEND students' ATTENTION spans; but teaching them shortcuts and disregarding basics is probably NOT the way to do so. Using technology and popular culture in ADDITION to traditional methods is a wonderful idea but promoting instant gratification isn't a positive learning experience in any way, shape or form. Using technology to better our lives is certainly a positive, letting technology become our lives is quite the opposite.
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