I’ve been involved in several discussions on the use of technology by students in the classroom. Some of these discussions have started with a comment along the lines of “Why should money-strapped schools purchase computers for students when the majority come to school with a computer in their pocket?” It’s usually followed with the raise of a hand containing a cellphone. Some of these conversations then go on to describe Internet searches, text message Q & A sessions, online surveys, photographing lab work, and a variety of other educational uses for a cell phone, laptop, iPod, Nintendo DS, or SONY PSP a student may bring to school.
Just when you think we’re discussing a greatest possible learning tools, someone will usually add “but it makes it so easy for the kids to cheat.”
Bummer.
Is that the end of the story? Does it mean we have no choice but to ban these devices from our school buildings? Or are there ways to control the use of technology to promote learning and not encourage cheating and distractions?
On January 13, 2010, Bloomberg Business Week posted an article by Michael Hartnett titled “Academic Cheating in the Age of Google.” In this article, Hartnett suggests a few rules to control cheating. The topic of cheating is also discussed in Hartnett’s blog at http://www.michaelhartnett.net/blog/