Elliot: Only Texas would have an award entitled “Bragging Rights.”
Cathie: That’s because Michigan has so much to brag about – having the highest unemployment in the nation, having the highest school dropout rate in the nation….
Elliot: Ahh, well…
Cathie: and did I mention some of the worst weather?
Elliot: Well, cough, cough … Your state has this great award entitled “Bragging Rights” that Keller ISD just won for their mobile learning project in 2009.
Cathie: Yes, Yes - I just saw an email from Matt Cook, one of the two 5th grade teachers in the project ….
Elliot: … Cyndi Varella was the language arts and social studies teacher in the two teacher team…
Cathie: … announcing the award made by the Texas School Business Magazine.
Elliot: It’s pretty amazing - 50 students and two teachers using cellphone computers beat out all the other educational technology projects in the state – and Texas is a BIG STATE with many, many innovative educational technology projects.
Cathie: The magazine clearly thinks that mobile learning and cellphone computers are important and relevant for education.
Elliot: At the same time that 99% of the schools in Texas…
Cathie.. and the nation…
Elliot:.. ban cellphones from the classroom.
Cathie: I hope the other schools in Texas, at least, don’t miss this clear message!
Elliot: Like any recognized educational technology project Matt and Cyndi’s classrooms had great administrative support.
Cathie: Yes, Joe Griffin, Executive Director of Technology, worked with the vendors Verizon Wireless, HTC, Microsoft, and GoKnow* while Ron Myers, principal of Trinity Meadows Intermediate worked the back channel.
Elliot: And Len Avecilla, a parent, was the interface between the mobile learning project and students’ parents.
Cathie: The Pearson Foundation has created a wonderful 6.5 minute video that captured how the students used the Cellphone computers for their lessons.
Elliot: Keller definitely earned its Bragging Rights…
Cathie: … they are leaders. In 2010 many more schools will be implementing mobile learning using cellphone computers and Netbooks, but Keller ISD has lead the way!
*Full Disclosure: Cathie and Elliot are co-founders of GoKnow, Inc.
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