The Effects of Mobile Devices in the Classroom - Essay Example

There being numerous developments in technology, and the increasing need for communication, many people, including students, do have mobile devices. This essay focuses on the analysis of the effects of mobile devices in the classroom, and how it influences the hospitality and tourism industry (Crouch, (2004). The term mobile device is a general term that is inclusive of iPads, cell phones, tablets, iPhone, among other devices. The use of mobile devices in the classroom has both negative and positive effects on the value of education that is delivered. Some of the benefits include the following. Teachers can maximise on the use of mobile phones, especially smart phones in class. This is through the following. They have the easy mobility advantage. One can easily walk around with a tablet or a smart phone without any difficulty. Their mobility helps to save on time and space. This would be of an advantage to the student especially if they are not physically available to attend the class (Lu, 2012). If a student cannot make it to a class due to various reasons, he/she can manage to get a live streaming of the classroom proceedings via skype. This will help the student to save on time that could have been otherwise considered lost since they are away from the classroom. Other than skype, students can use mobile devices communicate on the classroom proceedings. In addition to this, the teachers can use the mobile devices as a teaching aid. For instance, teachers can use them in the demonstration of various class teachings. Mobile devices save on space since they are smaller than computers and laptops. Mobile devices are considered to be very versatile. They present an easier way for students to carry out their research, make notes, and study online. Other than that, they can be used for multitasking, due to the many applications they contain (Willis, 2013). For instance students can use tools like dictionaries, calculators, and periodic tables as support material in their learning. Moreover, there are educational tools found in smart phones, like MS Office and Picasa, which students can use to save documents and images that can be used in projects. The availability of these tools in mobile devices helps in making the learning process easy and fast. Mobile devices are also good since they enhance interaction in a classroom. Teachers can use them to educate students through the use of video or audio means. For instance, smartphones and tablets have plenty of charts, images, or graphs. Also, mobile devices help students to learn various activities of a subject. Students can share links to 3D videos that could show some factors that may be of interest to the class work. For example, to see a ‘dead area' that is found below the sea level, or visiting a historical site through these videos. Science teachers can also make a live demonstration on how to carry out an experiment through the videos as the students are watching (Holt, Segrave, & Cybulski, 2012). Another example is that in enhancing learning, a teacher in a French class can ask the students to call their friends within the class in French. This makes the learning activity very inclusive and fun. Mobile devices are easier tools for future references, compared to taking notes on a notebook or a laptop. This is further enhanced by their easy portability. A student can easily make notes in a classroom, or record interviews or classroom activities. For example, a student could record a Germany lesson. All these recordings in a smartphone or a tablet can be used by the students as a fast reference. Also, instead of having to go to the library to refer to a book as directed by the teacher, students can easily download e-books to their smartphones. This not only saves on time, but the student also avoids the bulk of the book if they borrow one from the library. Learning becomes an easier task when the students can easily refer to sources on their iPhones, tablets or smartphones, especially if they are working on a school project. Quite a number of learning institutions have positively adapted the use of mobile devices n the classrooms. Research shows that the schools that allow the use of smartphones in class have showed a greater academic improvement, compared to the schools that still shun the use of mobile devices (D’Andrea, & Ferri, 2009). In the survey, which was conducted in 2009, some teachers agreed that the use of mobile devices in the 21st century classroom would create an easy and modern environment for students to learn. Other than the positive influence of the mobile devices in the classroom, there are some concerns that arise when students are allowed to use mobile devices in the classroom. Some of these concerns include the following. The most important concern is that technological devices like smartphones, tablets and iPhones are a major source of distraction from the learning process. Mobile devices do contain a lot of fun tools like games. These can be a source of distraction from the learning process especially if the teacher does not monitor the classroom activities. Also, students may not resist the urge to open funny YouTube videos instead of listening to the teacher. Additionally, the internet is usually free for all people; it is thus difficult to confirm the quality or authenticity of learning material. Despite there being educational sources that are of great quality, there are sources that could give vague or misguided information. In this case, if the students wholly rely on the internet for their educational sources, they may obtain information that is totally or partially inaccurate. Another concern is the cost of these mobile devices. Not every student can afford to purchase a smartphone or other mobile devices. The cost of these devices ranges from approximately $100, to $500. It would be difficult for such students to benefit from a classroom where the teacher uses mobile devices as a teaching aid (Huang, Kinshuk, & Spector, 2013). Also, technology is improving at a very fast rate. This implies that the students would have to purchase new devices with an updated technology now and then. This may not be possible for students with financial constraints. Having looked at both the positive and the negative effects of using mobile devices in a classroom, it is clear that the advantages make learning easier. This is not only for the students, but for the teachers, as well. It is, therefore, advisable that teachers should adapt the use of mobile devices in the classroom since it will also enhance hospitality and tourism. This is because as the students use their mobile devices for learning they could access multiple adverts on a tourist attraction site, which could create the zeal to visit these places during their free time. It also boosts the hospitality sector in the same way. In addition to the adverts, the teacher may use a learning aid that involves viewing of certain environmental features, which would be best seen by visiting the sites. For instance, the use of a video on a particular archaeological site would also encourage students to visit these areas of interest. References Crouch, G. I. (2004). Consumer psychology of tourism, hospitality, and leisure: Volume 3. Wallingford, Oxon, UK: CABI Pub. D’Andrea, A., & Ferri, F. (January 01, 2009). Mobile Devices to Support Advanced Forms of E-Learning. Holt, D., Segrave, S., & Cybulski, J. L. (January 01, 2012). E-Simulations for Educating the Professions in Blended Learning Environments. Huang, R., Kinshuk,., & Spector, J. M. (2013). Reshaping learning: Frontiers of learning technology in a global context. Berlin: Springer. Lu, Z. (2012). Learning with mobile technologies, handheld devices, and smart phones: Innovative methods. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference. Willis, L. (2013). Electronic devices in schools. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Read More