002+SmartPhones



Devin Rosenberger, Amanda Farace, Stephanie Jones, Joey Harris Frostburg State University

As a group we decided to research new and improving smart phone technologies. We decided to take a look at smartphones because in our society they are very important and have become a big topic for discussion. We researched the iPhone, Blackberry phones, and Android powered phones. All of these have features that can be used in the classroom to promote education. As you read, you will find out the specifics for each phone and what features you may be able to use in a classroom.

(This photo can be found at http://www.slashphone.com/techfaith-and-qigi-launches-i6-goal-android-phone-for-china-023500)

The Android powered phone has truly started to make its mark on the technological society today. It is a smartphone that improving and growing rapidly by the second. This phone was developed to compete with the "elite" smartphones like IPhone and Blackberry. This is a phone that has all the capabilities of these other smartphones, and in some cases more. For example, most android phones are touchscreen capable while providing keypads as well. They are all constructed with Internet capabilities. They have 3G modems in them and some are obtaining 4G. This meaning that the phones can have faster speeds while surfing the Internet. The Android also has an attribute called Auto-Focus. The auto focus on an Android allows the phone's screen to rotate in the direction of the phone. They play videos and can stream live from the web. They are great for businesses and students. In some cases they can be more cost efficient. The main focus is how they can be used in schools today. These phones allow students to get their email straight to their phone. This can be helpful because on the go one can still contact their teachers. They also can get PowerPoint’s and documents downloaded straight to the handset. The memory in the Android operating system is outstanding as well. It can hold massive amounts of documents. The Android also allows digital camera like picture quality. This can be useful for teachers because photos for lessons can be taken then streamed directly to a computer for student viewing. It is basically a laptop in your pocket. The Android can download apps and be useful. For example, on my Android phone I have a Frostburg2Go app that allows me to access Blackboard from anywhere. The Android has made its mark in the technological world and the IPhone has truly met its match.

(This photo is by Elking10, and can be found at [] )

The BlackBerry is a smartphone that is most recognized for its “mouse” in the middle of phone that allows you to select any feature. The Blackberry smartphones are capable of Internet, videos, G.P.S., organizer, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, and many more applications. Like the Apple iPhone, it has a feature that lets you download hundreds upon thousands of apps that benefit you in everyday life. (Emerging Technologies, 2011) Also, it can be used to have many apps that can be useful in any subject given. The advantage of these applications is the fact that they allow you to further enhance your usage as well as expediting a number of different tasks. There are apps to check the weather, sports, stocks, and your college. For example, there is an app for Frostburg State University that sends you directly to blackboards home page. The Blackberry phones can download apps and can be useful for school activities. For example, on my Blackberry phone, I can answer my Twitter questions given to me by my EDUC 202. The Blackberry smartphones have allowed both students and teachers to touch base in new technologies that no other smartphones ever have.

(Photo by sasha282 from @http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee418/sasha282/iphone_5_mockup.png )

Initially the new iPhone was to be released at the beginning of September, but now we are hearing otherwise that it could be late October before it makes its debut (Grabham, 2011, p.2). Like all other Apple products, it is highly anticipated and consumers can wait to get their hands on it! Consumers are looking forward to the new voice control settings that allow the user to control their phone by simply talking to it (Grabham, 2011, p.2). The new phone is supposed to also have a better camera, sources saying 8MP (Grabham, 2001, p.2). According to one source, there is a fifty percent chance that the phone will have more memory since that was a flaw for some users of the previous iPhones (Carnoy, 2011, p.6). There is also 100% chance for an improved home screen and notifications system (Carnoy, 2011, p.1). Face time is also a feature being brought up again. There is a 75% chance that users will be able to face time over the network and will no longer be limited to Wi-Fi (Carnoy, 2011, p.8). The iPhone 5 is supposed to have a larger screen and become thinner (Potter, 2011, p.1).

(This photo is by : Mbehr, and can be found at [] )

Usually the use of cell phones in the classroom is discouraged because they are seen as a distraction. However, several schools around the nation have found many benefits by incorporating smart phones into daily lessons. Project K-Nect, a pilot program in North Carolina schools, provides teachers a chance to utilize Smart Phones to teach selected math courses. This program gives out smart phones and the students can access the Internet at home or at school. It also allows full access to Project K-Nect’s math curriculum, instant messaging, calculators, and both video and photo applications. In one of the pilot schools in North Carolina, 9th graders received smart phones and were granted access to supplemental Algebra I content. According to Stansbury, (2010) Teachers, administrators, and researchers behind Project K-Nect found that thanks to these smart phones, both math scores and student achievement increased quite a bit.

Although smart phones have made quite an impact in middle and high school classrooms, they have also been very helpful in elementary schools. 5th graders at Lake Avenue Elementary School in Saratoga Springs, New York are also positively influenced by the use of smart phones in multiple subjects including: math, science, language arts, and social studies. For example, in one class students were learning about the properties of light. But after the lesson, students were instructed to draw examples of transparent and opaque objects on //Sketchy//, which is an app on the students’ smart phones. After the students finished, they could upload their work to the computer where the teacher would be able to monitor the student’s progress and behavior (Lombardo, 2010). The teachers in this program were not only delighted with their student’s achievement, but also their increased participation in the classroom. The teachers in this program were not only delighted with their student’s achievement, but also their increased participation in the classroom. Sera Miller, a student at Lake Avenue, noticed another benefit of using smart phones in the classroom, “It’s been exciting because we get to work with a new type of technology and I think it’s a good idea because we don’t have to use as much paper,” (as cited in Lombardo, 2010, p. 2).

Overall, using smartphones in the classroom are beneficial to both students and teachers. IPhones, BlackBerrys, and Android phones offer several apps that students can use to further explore a new topic in a fun and interesting way. Smartphones allow students to access the Internet outside of class, and they also encourage communication between teachers and students. With more information about IPhones, BlackBerrys, and Android phones, you will feel more comfortable implementing this new technology in your very own classroom.

References

// Carnoy, David.(2011, October 13). // iPhone5: 15 most-wanted features//. p.1-15. Retrieved from: [] //

// Grabham, Dan. (2011). // iPhone 5 rumours: What you need to know//. p.1-2.Retrieved from: [] //

Hanlon, M. (2003, November 13).//Smartphone emerging as main mobile technology platform//. Retrieved from []

Lombardo, B. (2010, January.) //Spa City fifth-graders first in region to learn on smart phones.// Retrieved from: __http:__ //www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/01/08/news.//

// Potter, Ned. // ( 2011, July 29). Apple iPhone 5: First look? //p.1.Retrievedfrom: [] //

Stansbury, M. (2010, July). // Program uses smart phones to increase math scores: New report finds Project K-Nect helps students to like math-and teacher to like phones in the classroom. //Retrieved from: [] .//

Finished on November 18, 2011
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