In the article, Technology Goes to School, by Cara Bafile, the 5th graders at Trinity Meadow Intermediate School piloted a program where each student got a cell phone to use throughout their school day. This took place in 2007/8 when 1:1 technology was the newest advancement to technology in the classroom. The phones were provided by HTC, Verizon provided the service, and Microsoft Mobile helped with any software issues. "The fifth grade teacher and his students are exploring the educational uses of cell phones, which Cook believes in the long run will become the cheapest way to do one-to-one computing. The portability and mobility of cell phones make them an ideal teaching tool, toting the classroom anywhere, anytime."
The thing that really stuck out to me about this article was not the use of 1:1 technology, but how they made parents take part in the use of this technology. One of the parents at the school, who was on the district technology committee, and made sure that parents were a part of this implementation every step of the way, from the preparation, activation, engagement, and deployment. "Regular workshops for parents have been held, including a recent mid-term update in March. Parents have expressed their chief concern that the cell phone activity must be used to enhance and not detract from the mastery of traditional content."
By making parents not only aware of the technology, but also be coached in how to use the technology on the regular bases, that is a key element missing in a lot of implementation programs we currently have. If we plan to continue educating our students through the use of technology, parents also need the skills to help support their children thrive and understand what they are learning when they are at home.
