The Smart Phone as an

Educational Tool

The Nature of the Debate

Mobile Devices have become popular because they:

• Combine the functionality of a computer with portability

• Lower cost • Connect to Internet wirelessly • Have Apps

The Nature of the Debate

• As a result the questions can be asked

“Can cell phones serve as effective instructional tools in the classroom?”

• There are advocates on both sides: some claim that cell phones are an inappropriate distraction during school hours, others embrace students' familiarity with them and utilize them in class. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3557731

The Nature of the Debate

‘FOR’

‘AGAINST’

Significance To EducationalAdministrators• Educational outcomes is a key

concept for any educational administrator.

• Every educational administrator must research to see whether the supposed benefits or disadvantages, as outlined by the literature, holds true .

Definition of Smart Phone

• A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone, often with PC-like functionality

• "Smart phones differ from ordinary mobile phones in two fundamental ways: how they are built and what they can do".

Definition of Smart Phone

1. Smart phones today use an identifiable operating system, often with the ability to add applications (e.g. for enhanced data processing, connectivity or entertainment)

2. Most smart phones support full featured email capabilities, personal organizer, miniature QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, a built-in camera,, Internet browsers etc.

Types of Smart Phones

Popular Brand names include:• BlackBerry, • iPhone, • Palm Pre • HTC Touch• Samsung

Galaxy

What is Mobile Learning?

• The Term ‘Mobile Learning” refers to ‘Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies.

"Guidelines for learning/teaching/tutoring in a mobile environment".

MOBIlearn. October 2003. pp. 6. Retrieved June 1, 2011.

How to Use a Smart PhoneIn Teaching & Learning

• The smart phone can be used in the classroom for lighter teaching tasks such as reading, finding articles and taking notes.

• The smart phone can be used to access study tools. The options include apps like FlasCards++, Evernote, myHomework and gTasks.

Mobile phone advocates claim many benefits to using the devices in educational settings: some of these advantages include:

1) Social Learning

The potential for social learning in an instructional setting. Students can work on group projects and share information and discoveries.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

2)Parental Involvement.

Parents do not get to see the result of their child's efforts in the classroom. Students can use cellular phones equipped with cameras to take pictures of projects they complete in class. Allowing students to use cell phones in this capacity encourages parental involvement in their child's life, as well as supporting their educational development.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

3) Missing AssignmentsTeachers can enact a buddy system in which students email or text each other with the details of assignments their buddy missed due to an absence. This will save teachers valuable time they would have otherwise spent assembling makeup packets, and will instill a sense of responsibility among students for themselves and each other.

4) Quick Answers

Smart phones provide the ability to get answers quickly. In some situations, a student may not ask for clarification. Use of a smartphone in a classroom setting can provide those answers.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

5) Real-World ToolsCell phones usually have features such as calculators, which most math classes require. Using the calculator function of their cell phone can teach students the real-world skill of utilizing what they have on hand to calculate mathematical problems in their everyday lives.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

6) Improving Focus. Many students find listening to music a relaxing study habit and studies of learning styles indicate that some students learn best while listening to music while working problems or reading. Students who are comfortable while studying are more likely to study longer, more often, and produce more positive results than those who do not listen to music.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

6) Learning come to Life

Smart phones expand students learning world by connecting then to other students from around the world. In addition audio and video capabilities brings learning to life.

Advantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

7) Comfortable Learning

Smart phones are the most often used ‘tool’ by teens. These tool scan be used to improve student engagement

Disadvantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

On the other hand, many believe that cell phones will only contribute to already existing problems in schools. Some of these disadvantages include:

Disadvantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

1)Social Issues such as:• Cheating• Disrespecting teachers and staff• Instigating trouble amongst other

students;• Utilizing cell phones for illegal

activities during school

Disadvantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

2)Health Issues such as:• Ear damage• Exposure to low levels of radiation• Repetitive strain injuries from improper

use• The sedentary nature of cell phone use

may lead to weight gain

Disadvantages of Smart Phones in the Classroom

3) Exposure to Child Predators and Inappropriate Content

4) Digital Devices May be a Mind-Numbing Distraction

5) Limited storage capacity

6) Excessive cost of devices and their upgrades

Technology opens up an amazing world of learning and productivity to young students, but there are clearly dangers and legitimate concerns surrounding the use of these tools.

CONCLUSION

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