So, Cindy and I are driving home from Bismarck listening to podcasts. A podcast from Conference Connections (FETC) on cell-phone applications generated the following discussion.
Me: This guy is making assumptions about the potential of cell-phone applications in education that are naive. Kids have cell phones, but how many kids from lower income families have the data plans that would allow most of the examples he presents? Educators can’t go forward with major ideas that not all students can apply.
She: Sure, but sometimes you have to take advantage of what is there.
Me: If I had the choice of requiring parents or schools to provide a device it would not be a cell phone. It would be some kind of netbook – I read companies are selling netbooks at a very low rate if you commit to a data plan.
She: Parents are going to be more interested in getting their kids a cell phone.
Me: Have you ever tried writing something with a cell phone. Try writing something that is longer than a paragraph.
She: You are out of date with your ideas. Why do you think writing is so important? Kids can just speak their ideas.
Hmm – any help out there?
