I’ve been using google voice in the classroom since I got a beta number back when the service launched. It was essential for Spanish language teaching and continues to be of use in 2nd grade.
Very few of my students have any access to the internet at home (only 3 out of 28 of my 2nd grade students right now). Google voice is great because it only requires a phone, which even if their family’s phone has been cut off recently, they can borrow an auntie’s, a grandma’s, or a neighbor’s just to make a quick call.
We use the service in a variety of ways:
- Reading: Students are given books to take home via readinga-z.com or http://www.progressivephonics.com/. They take the paper book home and call my google voice number. Students read the book into the phone and then hang-up. I download the mp3 and post it on our class edmodo page or load it on an ipod for students to listen to. They can then listen to their own voice or mine and compare. We are collecting these “audiobooks” for each other to use, as well as for the 1st graders who might like to read 2nd grade level books.
- Vocabulary: Students call the google voice number (or text it) to create sentences out of our weekly vocabulary words (or any vocabulary words that preceded that week). We take these sentences and post them on our class website, so people can create their own sentences too! (usually the first person to post receives some cool prize or riddle).
- Math: Students call the google voice number when they see math operating in everyday life. We then collect the audio recordings and listen to them on Fridays, talking about the places we see math (eventually we will plot these on a crowdmap).
- Social Studies: In 2nd grade we talk a lot about community issues. Students call the number when they see examples of our discussions, or things they’d like to learn more about with regards to their community. We then are able to do some research to answer their questions, or point them to a community member who could give them (or us) more information.
In a more logistical manner, it’s a good way to keep up with revolving phone numbers. So many teachers complain about phones that are cut off, or non-working numbers. Because we have such a high participation with our google voice number, I am always ensured to have a working number in case I need to get in touch with a family member.
Do you have any other ways you’ve used google voice in the elementary classroom? I’d love to hear your ideas, and I’ll be happy to share with my teachers who are looking to use google voice.
cheers!
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“In 2nd grade we talk a lot about community issues.”
That’s how it should be. Let them know their backyard before they know the world. Let them make sense of the now before introducing them to former wars and key figures.