The Cell Phone Challenge

Throughout this course, we will try to model aspects of the thinking processes that both teachers and learners exhibit while they try to innovate. For the time being we will not worry much about the distinction between terms like innovation or creativity, but we should recognize that both creativity and innovation are skills that can be learned and developed.

Task 1: Small Group Brainstorming (15 minutes)

Think about the classes you teach and answer this question. While there are certainly challenges to the use of cell phones, simply consider the possibilities and set aside concerns.

How can the cell phone be used to enhance learning in their classroom?

1. Use the Brainstorming Guidelines to remind you of how to brainstorm.
   
   
2. Form groups of 4-5 participants.
   
   
3. Choose a group “Recorder” who will take notes.
   
   
4. Brainstorm and write down all the ideas. Do not comment on or discuss the ideas at this stage. (15 minutes)

Task 2: Processing (5 minutes)

1. Select the top two ideas that you consider to be “innovative.”
   
   
2. Consider:

• What learning area / subject / grade did you focus on?
• What were your top two “innovative” ideas for how to use a cell phone in that class context?
• Define what your group means by an innovative idea.

Task 3: Group Discussion (20 minutes )

1. Share your findings with the larger group.
2. Reflect on your own (and your team's) responses to the brainstorming activity about cell phones. Consider these questions:
   • Did everyone think of the same ways to innovate?
   • Which comes first, do we innovate out of a need to change instruction to better suit our learners? Or, do we encounter a new piece of technology and think of how it could change instruction?
   • What does this activity tell us about the conditions for innovation?
   • What is the role of imagination?