“TEXTnology in the Classroom”, presented at SXSWedu, is based on my texting experience in my philosophy classes and consist of sharing best practices and ideas on how to use texting in the classroom to engage, access, and manage students. Are you tired of watching your students use their cell phones in class for reasons unrelated to class? In this workshop, I will demonstrate and present research results and best practices on how to use student response systems both in and outside of the classroom in order to boost student engagement while promoting use of technology, specifically texting, in a productive manner. Studies have shown that the traditional lecture doesn’t work anymore, rather more frequent interaction between instructor and student is essential for student engagement. I believe the classroom can and must include more student participation in order to address students’ needs in a more effective way. I also believe the classroom should be more diverse; a place where students are not silenced and everyone can be a teacher. What better way to do this than with texting.

1. TEXTnology in the
Classroom
Myisha Cherry
Philosophy, John Jay College
www.myishacherry.org
@myishacherry
#TEXTedu #SXSWedu

2. Vision of the Classroom
• Stimulating space where
people learn, think,
debate, listen,
exchange, & revise or
strengthen ideas

3. Reality of the Classroom
• Unproductive space
where students are
distracted yet
"clever"

9. My View

10. Goals
• 1) Cell Phones and Students: The Reality
• 2) How Texting Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
• 3) Tales and Benefits from My Usage
• 4) Q&A

11. Why Lectures "Alone" May Not Help You Achieve
Your Vision
• Lectures are outdated
• Short attention span
• Learn better when actively engaged & motivated
• Learn better when we appeal to what student's value
"...discovering and appealing to what students
value has the power of a "return on investment"
of their eagerly engaging in and owning their
learning. And that is the pedagogical gold
ring."-- H.Olinger, Edutopia

12. Cell Phones Usage Among Youth
22%
78%
Own Cell Phones
Do Not Own Cell Phones
0.2%
99.8%
Own Cell Phones
Do Not Own Cell Phones
12-17 yrs College Age
Pew Research Center 3/13/13
Teens and Technology 2013
Ball State Study Feb.2012

13. Cell Phones Usage in Class
10%
90%
Bernard McCoy,
Journal of Media Studies Vol.4,
Number 4, Oct. 2013

14. What are They Using it For?
0
22.5
45
67.5
90
Games Web Social Media Email Time Texting
Bernard McCoy,
Journal of Media
Studies Vol.4, Number
4, Oct. 2013

15. Why are They Using It?
Stay Connected
Boredom
Related Classwork
0 17.5 35 52.5 70
Bernard McCoy,
Journal of Media
Studies Vol.4, Number
4, Oct. 2013

16. What Happens When They Use Cell Phones In Class?
Dont Pay Attention
Miss Instruction
Get Called Out By Instructor
0 22.5 45 67.5 90
Bernard McCoy,
Journal of Media
Studies Vol.4, Number
4, Oct. 2013

17. Call Out Example:

18. My Take Away
• I can use texting to keep students
connected to each other and
content material as well as help
them battle boredom while not
missing a thing.

19. My Tech Classroom Culture
• (Electronic Readings, YouTube, Keynote, & Texting etc.)
Use texting without using my own number
•Short codes, alternative number, & their own devices
• Require online programs
Have a Strict Policy
• Violation of trust & form of disrespect
• Automatic grade deduction for each offense

20. How "Texting" Can Improve Your Class
• 1) Increase Participation
• 2) An Assessment Tool
• 3) Creates a more focused class enabling teacher to
know students' weakness & questions BEFORE each
class
• 4) Helps you manage student records
• 5) Efficient way to contact students

21. My Usage & Best Practices

22. 1) Management: Attendance

23. Management: My View

24. Management: My View

25. Benefits
• 1) Accurate and stored record
• 2) Track lateness
• 3) Save class time

26. 2) Focused Class: Submitted Questions

27. Focused Class: Submitted Questions:

28. 2) Focused Class: Submitted Questions

29. Focused Class: Submitted Questions:

30. Benefits
• 1) See value in not only answering but asking questions
• 2) To know difficulties before arriving to class and center
class around those difficulties
• 3) Way to make sure students are reading homework
when written homework assignments are not given

31. 3) Assessment: In Class Assignments
• 1) Argument Comprehension Assignments
• 2) Conceptional Knowlege Assignments
• 3) Creative Interpretations
• 4) Group Collaboration

32. Ex.1
Based on a particular
identity, explain to a friend
that they have some type
Of privilege in society?
Assessment: In Class Group Assignments

35. Ex.2 Ex.3

36. Benefits
• 1) It maximizes on the use of dialogue in learning
• 2) Welcomes collaboration
• 3) Assess interpretation of concepts and arguments

37. 4) Participation & Peer Instruction: Clicker

38. Participation & Peer Instruction: Clicker

39. Participation & Peer Instruction: Clicker

40. Benefits
• 1) Increase participation for those who would normally not
raise their hands
• 2) Provide peer instruction
• 3) Practice argumentation

41. 5) Peer Assessment & Participation:
Debate Judge

42. Benefits
• 1) Argument Evaluation
• 2) Assess peers anonymously

43. 6) Assessment: Pop Quiz

44. Benefits
• 1) Teach students to be concise
• 2) Efficient way to assess students

45. 7) Assessment: End of Class Check In

46. Assessment: End of Class Check In

47. Benefits
• 1) Let me know if students "got it"
• 2) They express difficulty with no judgment
• 3) Determine if we need to stay with material a little longer
• 4) Good way to do end of class attendance

48. 8) Efficient Contact: Extra Credit Alert

49. 9) Efficient Contact: Class Alerts

50. Efficient Contact: Class Alerts

51. EFFICIENT CONTACT : Class Alerts

52. Benefits
• 1) Get in touch with students in a timely manner
• 2) Make extra credit assignments exciting

53. Let's Think... Of some assignments
• Dialogue
• Emoticons
• Send/Recieve Pictures,audio,links
• Group discussion
• Etc..
To (teach OR assess )
__________ _ , I will
_________________________
_________________________
(Skill)
Argumentation
Get students to debate on a topic back
and forth out of class through texting

54. To learn about programs I use, TEXT me

55. TEXTnology in the
Classroom
Visit Me At
http://www.myishacherry.org