003+SmartPhones



**FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY**



Students today are exposed to technology at home and at school. Students for entertainment use most of this technology. However, schools use computers, smart boards, and the Internet to engage students in the learning process. One technology that is emerging in the learning environment of the classroom is the smartphone. Students of higher learning use this newfound technology widely, but the benefits are being looked at in the earlier grades. As society sees the change evolving some are skeptical that the smartphone has any place at all in the classroom of today. Recently we have seen a movement toward giving students tools to succeed in the educational process. Major cell phone companies are lobbing to make a place in the classroom for this technology, along with this educators are showing the enhancements to education that can be made with the smartphone, and finally research supports benefits to students that use this technology.
 * Introduction: **

Major cell phone companies are doing all they can to emerge onto school campuses nationwide. Smartphones are already everywhere else and will soon also be used as classroom tools. Companies want in the classroom for a wide range of reasons. First, they can make money off of the addi tional smartphones that would be sold along with the applications that would need to be purchased and downloaded for use in schools. Next, they can advertise that most kids already have smartphones and that bringing them into the classroom would be very easy and an extreme positive for education. This could also be viewed as a publicity tool. These major corporations could be viewed as heroes for creating a way to help further the impact of education by creating tools that help teachers and students. Smartphones will be a great advancement for the classrooms and could help America regain its spot in education.
 * Role of the Cell Phone Company: **

Cell phone companies are pushing the school districts of America to adopt the use of smartphones in the classroom. Critics say that they are just trying to break in to the big education market (Richtell and Stone, 2009). But, there are many advantages that these companies can offer students that the students currently are without. "CTIA, a wireless industry trade group, plans to start making its case for the educational value of cellphones. It will present that so called smartphones can make a student smarter" (Richtell and Stone, 2009).

This is the view that the major cell phone industry wants us as Americans to have, but is it true? A study performed showed that students who used smartphones with math finished the year doing 25 percent better on the end-of-the-year algebra exam than those who did not use smartphones (Richtell and Stone). Shawn Gross said, "This is a device that kids have, it's a device they are familiar with and want to take advantage of" (Richtell and Stone, 2009). I completely agree with him on this statement. These students have these hand held computers that can perform a magnitude of functions. We as society must realize the potential and start using these as tools in the classroom.

Judy Brown states, "Mobile devices include a computer, a microphone, a video and still camera, a video and audio player, and GPS" (Blake, J.E., 2010). Judy Brown makes a great point with this simple statement. She states all of the things that a smartphone can do. All of these different functions can serve in an educational classroom. There are also applications that teachers can use with the students in and out of school such as Media Flashcard and as a quizzing tool (Blake, J.E., 2010). Another benefit mentioned by the cell phone companies is that smartphones do not need WI-FI to have internet (Hoffman, T. 2010) There are also more than 3,400 educational applications available on just the ITunes marketplace (Hoffman, T. 2010). The ability to have wireless internet without WI-FI would allow students to gain access from anywhere they have cell phone service and these days that is nearly everywhere. And ITunes marketplace alone has nearly 3,400 educational applications, which covers a variety of topics designed to help students.

Everything that seems to good to be true normally is so of course there are arguments against smartphones. One reporter said that just from talking to school districts in San Diego, Florida, and Chicago that the wireless companies are expected to sell 10-15 million phones. This got the attention of the public because at an average of 50 dollars per phone that would be at least 500 million dollars (Richtell and Stone, 2009). Once again this got the public believing that this is just a stunt by these companies to help increase revenue. Janet Bass the spokesperson of the American Federation of Teachers said, "texting, ringing, vibrating. Cell phones so far haven't been an educational tool. They've been a distraction" (Richtell and Stone, 2009). While Janet Bass is correct in stating that kids have misused cell phones in education they also have not been utilized in class instruction. People will continue to find faults, but until we see if smartphones work we will not know.

These devices are part of kids’ lives so we must find a way to orchestrate them into the classroom for the good of education.

Smart Phones as with all new technology that can be introduced into the classroom has negative and positive points for their use within schools. For example there are many benefits to having smart phones in the classroom. With applications specially made for educational use, helping students to have better teacher relations and the power of a computer in a hand held form are all positive examples of use. Some of the negatives are that they could be a powerful distraction from school work, and teachers would have to continually police the use of the phones to make sure they are being used properly. As with any issue there are two sides to the argument thought it is yet to be seen if they will be ultimately beneficial or just another waste of resources to schools.
 * Enhancement in the Classroom from the Smartphone: **

Today we see more students using technology in everyday life. One form of this technology is smartphones. On the surface one can make the argument that smartphones have no place in the classroom. However, advantages for students are becoming more evident with the use of smart phones in the classroom. Some North Carolina classrooms are using smart phone applications to assist students in math concepts . (Davis, 2011) These same classrooms are participating in Project K-Nect, a grant-funded program adopting smartphones as teaching tools in math classes. (Davis, 2011) Other applications used with smart phones give students a wealth of organizational access and instant information. One such application is called Evernote. This application allows the student to take important notes and access the notes from the smartphone, home computer, or any computer with internet access. The world of the smart phone give students, as well as teachers, programs that keep help them on task with assignments all the student’s classes. Students use all types of technology in every aspect of day-to-day life. From iPods to video games, students of today grew up learning and using various technologies. Why not allow them to excel in academics with the tools to succeed. Taking a look at the work force today the future workers that have become comfortable with new and current technology have a leg up to succeed in a career. Every advantage given to a student in the classroom is an advantage in the future.
 * Benefits of Smartphone for the Student: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Society today is one that embraces technology <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">more than that of the past. Student learning has evolved through this shift in what is acceptable and normal. We see this trend progressing through such items as smart boards, computer and internet use, and smart phones utilization in the classroom environment. As with any new phenomenon used in education society is slow to embrace and see the benefits. Depending on what grade level discussed the use of smart phones benefits range from basic games for learning to teacher-student communication and assignment uploads. One thing is certain as technology grows so will its use in education. Smart phones are no exception to this rule.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Conclusion **

List of References
Blake, J.E. (2010). Smart phones in class gain attention. //Baylor University//. Retrieved from []

Davis, M. (2011, April 4). Making math connections: a project that uses smartphones as learning tools is giving students a new perspective on math. //Education week//, //04//(02), 38. Retrieved from []

Hoffman, T. (2010). Can Smart Phones Make Kids Smarter. //education magazine//. Retrieved from []

Phillippi, J & Wyatt, T. (2011, August). Smartphones in nursing education. //CIN: Computers Informatics Nursing//, //29//(8), 449-454. Retrieved from []

Richtell, M., Stone, B. (2009). Industry makes pitch that smartphones belong in class. //New York Times//. Retrieved from []

Young, J. (20121, January 2). 6 top smartphone apps to improve teaching, research, and your life. //The Chronicle of Higher Education//, Retrieved from []

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