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Using the Cell Phone for Class
Content: An Exploration
Terence W. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.,
Leadership, Counseling, and Instructional Technology, University of
North Florida, USA
[email protected]
Using the Cell Phone for Class
Content: An Exploration
Abstract: This paper describes a project that
involved converting reading material for student
access through their cell phones. Cell phones
can be used for sending electronic versions of
reading materials to students in three formats:
audiobook, web book, and Java book. The
different formats were compared for class use
and the Java book format was found to be the
most efficient for student use. Conversion tools
for creating documents were evaluated along
with student ease of use. This pilot project found
that cell phones can be effective as electronic
readers. For readability it is important to choose
software that will create cell phone documents
that can be displayed with variable text sizes,
increasing reading ease.
“Student Week”
• internet (16.7 hours)
• television (13.6 hours)
• phone (7.7 hours)
(Yahoo 2003)
18
16
14
12
Internet
Television
Phone
10
8
6
4
2
0
Week
Cellphone Ownership
100
80
60
Elementary
Secondary
College
40
20
0
Own Cell phones
In 2003:
• 43% of school aged
children (K-12)
– 70% middle and high
school students
– 61% upper elementary
students
Today:
• 99% college students
Audiobook
Cell Phone
Book Formats
Java Book
Web Book
Cell Phone Book Formats
Audiobook
• MP3
• Podcast
• Text-to-speech
Not widely available
with students (yet)
Cell Phone Book Formats
Web Book
• HTML
• WAP
• Can involve time charges
• Most new phones can access
Cell Phone Book Formats
Java Book
• Runs as game or
application
• Download and install
Selected for
»Variable display
»Multiple controls
»Transfer options
Cell Phone Books
First popular:
• Deep Love in Japan
– Serialized novel
– Over 20 Million Hits
–MobileBooks
»Online service
»Over 5000 editions
» http://www.mobilebooks.org/
Project
• Evaluating differing formats of creating
and delivering textual information to
students which was to be read from the
cell phone
Content:
–Text book
–Syllabus
–Schedule
Creation Programs
Java Based:
• BookReader, (selected)
• ReadManiac,
• mjBook4, and
• t41 Readme (online)
BookReader ReadManiac
Program Windows
mjBook4
t41 Readme
Windows
Windows
Online
Free
Free
Free
Yes
No
No
Background Multiple
colors
Multiple
One
One
Key controls Adjustable
Preset
Preset
Preset
Yes
Yes
Yes
Text (.txt)
Text (.txt)
Text (.txt)
.jar & .jad
.jar & .jad
.jar & .jad
Cost Free
Multiple fonts Yes
Scrolling Yes
File RTF, PDF,
origination DOC, PDB,
Text (.txt)
File creation .jar & .jad
Cell Phone Book Resources:
• Software for creating Java books (free):
– BookReader by Tequilacat
http://tequilacat.nm.ru/dev/br/index-en.html
– ReadManiac http://www.deepshadows.com/hax/ReadManiac/index.htm
– mjBook4: http://www.mjsoft.nm.ru/booke.htm
• Online service for creating Java books
– t41 readme: http://www.t41.nl/
Creating Files
1. Course Materials
2. Convert to text format
3. Process though
software or online
4. Place on website
Issues: images, tables,
special formatting
Distribution
•
•
•
•
Website for download to phone
Infrared sharing
Bluetooth
Sync cable
Advantages and Disadvantages
Cons
• limitations on the
screen and the
controls
• no standards for
keyboard controls
• button size
•
•
•
•
•
Pros
available to most
students (common)
one more application
(familiarity)
crisp, clear displays
small file size
affordable
Personal Reflection
• Almost but not quite there (in
the USA)
• Needs the tipping point event
• Can be very effective for text
• Ideal for “reading” class
• Sample cell phone books and syllabi
available at:
http://www.drscavanaugh.org/cell/cell.htm
• Paper and presentation available at:
www.unf.edu/~tcavanau