Smartphone as a Tool for Education: Future Prospects - Essay Example

SMARTPHONE AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION: FUTURE PROSPECTS By name Course Professor’s Name Institutional Affiliation City and State Date of Submission Executive Summary Smartphone technology is being harnessed by students to assist them in education. These devices allow students to connect to the internet, use educational apps, share education information with their friends, and connect with other students globally. However, smartphones have not yet been accepted as educational tools. Many education institutions are against the idea of using them in the classroom. This report has analyzed the benefits, drawbacks, and future prospects of smartphones as tools of education. It has also offered some recommendations. Table of Contents Introduction The improved accessibility, increasing processing power and improved applications integrated in emerging technologies has brought a challenge for education institutions that need to offer students with sustainable and high-quality technology-rich environments (Brown, 2010). Smart mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablet computers, provide enhanced computing capabilities and access to Internet-based resources in the absence of the constraints of place or time. The functionality of smart mobile technologies devices is unceasingly improved through the addition of features from already established technologies such as eBook readers, digital cameras, GPS navigation, portable media players, and personal digital assistants (PDA) (Brown, 2010). As a result, these devices are capable of providing ubiquitous learning environments that integrate the digital world and real-world resources. Because of rapid changes in the mobile technologies, education institutions are not willing to take risks in investing resources to offer access to the current devices. Education institutions are also not willing to adopt these innovative technologies because of their conservative organizational culture (Gikas & Grant, 2013). Nevertheless, some steps have been taken to overcome these challenges including the development of environments that encourages students use their own devices. This has enabled education institutions to focus resources on the preparation of infrastructure that will support the access to mobile devices to education institutions systems and infrastructure. The purpose of this report is to identify the current use of smartphones as education tools and the future prospects of these devices in the education sector. The increasing capabilities of smart mobile technologies are placing them as the technology of choice among many users, especially students (Yu, 2012). Therefore, the use of smart mobile technologies must be considered as inevitable learning tool available to education institutions. Discussion Benefits of Using Smartphones as Education Tools In modern technologically advanced society, most of the students are currently using smartphones. A number of education institutions and teachers promote the use of smartphone for classroom instruction, but other institution still disallows the student from using their phones during school hours. There are a number of benefits associated the smartphones as tools of learning. These benefits include portability, low cost, energy-saver, connection, personal feel, engagement, and good use of time (Verayanti, 2014). Smartphones are portable as compared to tablet computers and laptops because they are small and light in weight. It is very easy to move with them allowed, anytime and anywhere. The portability of a smartphone makes mobile learning convenient and flexible (Graham, 2015). Smartphones are also cheaper than desktop computers, tablets computers, and laptops, and hence many students can afford to buy one. They also allow students to learn in a manner they are comfortable. They are becoming the most tools used by young people as compared to desktop computers, tablets computers, and laptops. The main reason for this is because they are affordable, among other benefits. In terms of energy usage, smartphones run on less amount of power than laptop and desktop computers (UW Bothell Learning Technologies, 2012). Smartphones have a personal feel because they are the closest devices that someone can have. It is very easy for students or teachers to share their laptop or desktop computer with their family and friends, but it is difficult to share their smartphone. Just like other computing devices, smartphones have connection capabilities such as internet and Bluetooth connectivity. Internet connectivity through smartphones improves the performance of the students because they have access the information with ease, making smartphones educational, supportive tools (Shin, et al., 2011). Smartphones are also engaging making learning continue for a long duration. In addition, students have varied ways of learning. There are many education apps available that can help students customize their smartphones, and this might encourage them to study. With good internet connection, students can make good use of their time whenever they are as they can learn even when traveling. Smartphones provide for social learning as they enable students to share information, work in groups and also share discoveries (UW Bothell Learning Technologies, 2012). In other words, students can achieve a common goal in a way they are comfortable in. Video and audio capabilities of smartphones allow teachers and lecturers to share lectures and presentations with the students. Through these capabilities, students are also capable to connect with other students around the world and expand their learning environment. These devices also allow students to get answers quickly. In some cases, students might not seek clarification to a problem in an open classroom, but through a smartphone a student may get the solution to such problems. Drawbacks of Using Smartphones as Education Tools Despite the fact that smartphones are cheaper than tablet, laptop and desktop computers, they are still costly to some as not every student can afford to buy one. In most cases, their prices range from $100 to $500 (Verayanti, 2014). Additionally, technology is very dynamic as it changes very rapidly, and thus users have to upgrade smartphones now and then. Furthermore, mobile service providers charge data usage depending on the MBs used; therefore, large files may increase the cost further (UW Bothell Learning Technologies, 2012; Verayanti, 2014). Another notable disadvantage of smartphones is that they are too small. Though their small sizes make them portable, it also adds to the possibility of getting lost or stolen. In addition, their screens are too small, making it difficult for some users to read texts on such small screens. Their small sizes also affect their usability because some smartphones have too small keyboards, making it difficult for some users to type. Such users may make use of the detachable keyboards, but this will just increase the cost of the device. Despite the fact that smartphones are more portable than laptop and desktop computers, their battery life curtails this benefit as they can barely last four hours, especially when they are being used to access information online ( Verayanti, 2014). This makes these devices immobile as power is not available in every place. Future Prospects of Smartphones as Educational Tools It is well known that the problem associated with smartphones usage in the classroom is that they are likely to cause distractions. This is the key reason a number of teachers are uneasy about allowing smartphones in the classroom. They feel that these devices will possibly make the students not concentrate on their lessons or studies, rather than pushing them toward concentrating on their studies. Though this might be the case for some students, teachers should reconsider their position about allowing smartphones in the classroom. Despite the fact that these devices might just look like toys, they can be very efficient because a number of app developers are concentrating on educational apps. Most of the educational apps are free, making it even better (Graham, 2015). Another reason educators should consider allowing smartphones in the classroom is their portability. Laptops are heavy, and some students struggle to bring them to class. Smartphones are portable, and they can offer some services that are provided by laptops such as taking notes, finding or searching for articles, reviewing and even reading. Smartphones cannot be considered as alternative educational tools, they are only a supplement for classroom engagement. It very difficult to encourage the current generation of students to study because of the technology that surrounds them; therefore, the best thing to do is to use this technology to help them study (Goksu & Atici, 2013). Otherwise, preventing the use of the new technologies such as smartphones in the classroom is not the solution; the best thing to do is to allow the student view these devices as tools for education. This will enable students to focus on educational activities in these devices rather than other disruptive activities. Educators have to come to terms with the rapid advancement in technology and how to deal with that technology in the classroom. Some years back, educators were faced with the problem of using calculators in the classroom, but this is not an issue anymore because they have embraced this technology. Concerns about preventing abuse, maintaining proper use and control, and leveling the playing field with smartphones are similar to challenges faced by educators previously. There was a time educators were faced with the challenge of passing a note in the classroom; this is similar to the current challenge of texting in the classroom. The focus on smartphone use in the classroom should be ‘how best to use them’, but not ‘if they should be used’ (Graham, 2015). Although some opponents of this idea will cite social isolation, unauthorized socializing, and opportunity for cheating issues, the reality is that students are using these devices each day, and they are also using them to learn (Graham, 2015). If educators embrace the idea of integrating smartphones in the classroom, they will serve as a positive force to assist the students in using them appropriately in the classroom. Other than standard cell phone features of texting and calling, smartphones makes it easy to study for a test, check the news, play games, browse the web, among others because different apps can be installed on these devices. There are many reference or educational apps (around 150, 000 apps to be precise) that are specifically geared toward students, in particular for the very young students (Verayanti, 2014). Most of the things that used to be taught through books such as ABC’s, colors, and “The Little Engine That Could” are now being learned through the educational apps. The apps for using smartphones in the classroom from preschool to higher education institutions are available and growing. Students can use smartphones in a number of ways to support their learning. For instance, a smartphone’s camera may be useful in a number of ways. Students may just take photos of what their educators writes on the board rather than copying information in their notebooks. This might enable the students to pay more attention to what the teacher is saying, rather than concentrating on taking the notes. Students may also use their smartphones to record the discussion or lectures so that they may re-listen to it later (Concordia University, 2015). Smart mobile technologies can be powerful teaching tools. As described above, app developers are creating more and more educational applications. Smartphone users may now find calculators, flashcards, reference books, and more apps on these devices. Teachers can also use smartphones in teaching in a number of ways. By using the Dropbox app, teachers can use smartphones to share information with their students. This app allow file sharing and teachers can inform their students to create their Dropbox accounts and make class-shared folders so that they can be able to submit their assignments and coursework from their smartphones or other computing devices (Marinagi, et al., 2013; Concordia University, 2015). Another great app that teachers can make good use of is the Evernote. This app has a file-sharing feature, but it is mostly used for taking notes. There are other apps that may allow teachers to share their lessons wirelessly and to enable students review their notes after class. Conclusion and Recommendations There is no doubt that embracing smartphone technology use in the classroom will enhance learning. In fact, it high time educators accept and utilize smartphones in the classroom because this technology is not disappearing soon. Students are using these devices to learn through readily available education apps. Some teachers have also not be left behind as they have embraced this technology and have started using it in the classroom. However, there is still a long way to go as they are many critics who believe using smartphones as education tools will bear no good. It is recommended that smartphones be used in the classroom because this will encourage the current generation of students, which is surrounded by many technologies, to focus on their studies. Using the technology the current generation of students is used to will encourage them to study. Since computers have already been accepted in the classroom, it will be much easier to accept smartphones. Smartphones are just like computers, but with smaller capabilities. Reference List Read More