Nimbuzz Instant Messaging in the classroom

“The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.” ~ Socrates (470 BC–399 BC)

(NOTE: It goes without saying that pupils should be educated on safe, constructive and mutually respectful use of this medium before it is used in the classroom.)

Our children are leaving us behind. They use technology, some of which they access via their cell phones, which we as adults do not even know exists. How often do we see children deep in concentration, bent over their cell phones, furiously thumbing away on their most prized possession?  It intimidates us; so we discourage it and none more so than in the classroom.

As educators we need to step into their world. We need to find ways of harnessing this technology. We need to be less resistant to change. Technology can never be a substitute for good teaching methods. Technology does, however, give educators the opportunity of connecting with pupils on their level too.

One of the easiest, cheapest and most available ways of bringing technology into the classroom is via the cell phone.

Pupils are acutely aware that teachers don’t like cells in class. A simple instruction like, “please all take out your cell phones and turn them on if they are off”, often leads to blank-faced silence and disbelief; and that is if they haven’t been forced to hand their phones in at the office before coming to class.

Personal opinion:- banning cell phones in the classroom (as an educational tool) equates to taking away a child’s pen and paper.

So how can Nimbuzz be useful in the classroom?

• The (suggested) setup
  • If you have a computer in your classroom connected to the internet I recommend you install Nimbuzz PC; it makes for easier communication in terms of copying and pasting text to distribute.
  • Create a Nimbuzz account. If you have an existing Nimbuzz account, create a new one specifically for school use. This will ensure privacy for you existing Nimbuzz account. The beauty of Nimbuzz is that you can have more than one account linked to your cell number.
  • Get your pupils to install Nimbuzz and create an account by going to http://get.nimbuzz.com on their cell phones. Give them your login name so they can invite you.
  • Keep track of who has signed up on class lists. You can invite pupils from this list (if they have not already invited you) and refer to the list when assessing work.
  • Arrange pupils into the groups on you Nimbuzz application according to their classes. You can add a pupil to more than one group. This is useful when you teach more than one subject and/or have a register class.
• Types of Messaging
  There are two types of messages that can be sent:
  • Chat – conversation with text. (The text disappears when Nimbuzz is closed. Restricted to 2048 characters) Chatting is useful for:
    • Collaboration on a group project – sharing ideas
    • Confirming homework that has to be done; between pupils and with the educator
    • Help from an educator. A fixed time can be set aside each day to help pupils with their homework
    • Remind pupils about upcoming tests and work due
    • Class discussions – everyone gets an equal say in a noise free discussion. These discussions can be copied and pasted into word for further discussion later, if need be.
    • Study groups
    • If a pupil is away for any length of time, for an operation for example, the educator can not only find out how the pupils is, but help the pupil with any work missed.
  • Messaging – like emailing. (The message you sent is stored in your outbox, and the inbox of the person you sent to. These are permanent, unless deleted, and can be retrieved at any time. Restricted to 1024 characters) Messaging is useful for:
    • Absent pupils can be sent the work they missed and what they need to catch up on
    • Year plans that may include term dates, school functions, etc
    • Term plans that may include the work to be covered and test dates, etc
    • Weekly/daily plans, which may include a reminder of due dates for projects and test dates, etc
    • General notices; parent evening reminders, money to be brought in for a school outing, etc
    • Assignments.

      Example 1:

      “You are required to contextualize what you have learnt in this section of work. Identify in your local environment examples of what you have learned.

      1. Document good and bad practices of energy use in your community by taking photographs with your cell phone.

      2. Document renewable and non renewable resources in your community by taking a photograph with your cell phone.

      3. Make sure you name the files with your name and indicate good or bad practices and renew or non-renew

      4. I will collate your photographs and as a class we will discuss them.

      (8 marks. 2 marks per photo)”

      Example 2:

      “Record, on your phone, a short audio or video interview with a parent or adult on their view of the state of the nation speech. Bring the interview to school to download onto the PC via Bluetooth. (5 marks)”

      Once again these can be shown and discussed as a group, or pupils can express their views on paper.

      Example 3:

      “You have been sent an image of a landform. In point form briefly EXPLAIN the formation of the landform. Send your answer to me via Nimbuzz messaging.

      (10 marks)

      Note: If you did not receive your image buzz me so I can sent it to you.”

      *The following is an example of an image that could be sent*

      

Uses for Nimbuzz in the classroom are only limited by our imaginations. The more we share ideas and resources the better it will be for us as educators crossing the technological divide and bringing the classroom into the 21st Century.

Lets share ideas and lesson in the comment thread below.

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Tags: Cell, Education, Mobile, Nimbuzz