Cell Phones and Learning

Recently there has been a huge interest in allowing students to use their cell phones for learning. When I first heard about this new interest, I was not too sure about it. I could not possibly see how cell phones would benefit learning and how it would teach students the values of education. Kids mainly use their cell phones to talk to their friends, listen to music, or play games, which is why I did not agree with the new phenomenon, however after reading The Innovative Educator blog about creating a plan with students to use cell phones for learning, I was able to see the technological side of using cell phones and the several benefits they can bring to education.

I was not aware the using cell phones for learning does actually have great educational meanings. Cell phones can be a great resource of information and engagement within the class. Using cell phones, students can create audience response-polls by posting questions for the students regarding the class lessons. Engaging the students in topics would require 100% participation, and using polls would make the answers and responses completely anonymous if that is what they wish to do. Communication would also be enhances through the use of cell phones. The students would be able to send out group text messages to those who are working on a project together. The students could send various e-mails and links to help each other and give their insight on the project. Another form of communication that could be enhanced is the home-school connection amongst parents and teachers. Using cell phones allows group texts to parents and the teachers with any concerns or questions they may have about their child, assignments, or lessons in the class. This resource could potentially be very productive, however I can also see it getting too personal and out of hand if the parents abuse the system and are constantly texting the teacher.

The most important resource I can see cell phones being beneficial, is for e-mailing homework, that way students can never have an excuse to not have their homework with them in class. The students can easily pull up their homework assignment on their smart phone if they are able too and they can also save their notes on their phone, that way they can always have them when on the run. Cell phones also help with organization, providing the students with the proper needs of writing down their daily schedules in a calendar, having alarms and reminders for due dates, as well as having a calculator for class and a notepad to record information.

Using cell phones in the class is very new and there are several people who are not going to support this cause, considering cell phones are typically known for being a distraction in the classroom. However, if done properly and professionally, there can be room for cell phones to benefit learning the class. There are several standards using cell phones can meet if the teacher plans and organizes their lesson plans appropriately. The future is now, why not try out something new and see how the students and teachers respond.