Using Smart Phones as Essential Tools for Learning

Cell phones... Can't live with them, can't live without them... But what about in the classroom...?
One article called Using Smartphones as Essential Tools for Learning: A Call to Place Schools on the Right Side of the 21st Century by Cathleen Norris, Akhlaq Hossain, and Elliot Soloway argues that the positives outweigh the negatives -- in a properly set-up classroom.

First, they go through the history of 1:1. The first wave of technology rolled out was laptops 1:1. The authors focused on data gathered by Project RED. They polled many schools that have gone 1:1 and they identified key factors for a successful 1:1 program. But first, they stated that, "using 1:1 when not “properly implemented” has no more effect than using COWS (computers on wheels), computer labs, etc." A properly implemented program is as follows:

"Rank of Key Implementation Factors

1. Intervention in classes: Technology is integrated into every class.
2. Principal leads change management and gives teachers time for both Professional Learning and Collaboration.
3. Games/Simulation and Social Media: Students use technology daily.
4. Core subjects: Technology is integrated into daily curriculum.
5. Online Assessments: Both formative and summative assessments are done frequently.
6. Student-Computer Ratio: Fewer students per computer improves outcomes.
7. Virtual field trips: With more frequent use, virtual trips are more powerful.
8. Search engines: Students use daily.
9. Principal is trained via short courses in teacher buy-in, best practices, and technology-transformed learning."

These factors seem like no-brainers, and something to keep in mind across all BYOD devices, and not just laptops.
As technology improved, the second wave of technology in schools drove the usage of cell phones as the new device of choice. The authors note that, "Now, the choice of device was clear: Laptops are not sustainable. But smartphones are sustainable, cost-wise, and smartphones are more in concert with the emergence of mobile technologies as a dominant technology in the coming decade."

The authors of the article mention two major advantages of cell phones as learning tools:

• Cell phones are lightweight, portable, and students ALWAYS have them. The authors described them as "omnipresent" in the life of the average student. This accessibility is important because carrying around a 2-5lb laptop isn't always feasible. It's easily left at home, bulky to carry, and easily broken. A cell phone, on the other hand, is the opposite of those. 
• Students feel respected and vindicated when they are allowed to use cell phones as a learning tool because they use it outside of class all of the time. The authors speculate that when they are then allowed by a BYOD system to use their own device, they take more ownership of their learning and they are adept at using the technology that they use... constantly at home. It was argued best when it was speculated that, "The respect and vindication the students now feel, i.e., the acknowledgment by adults, is a strong motivator. The students are effective at using mobile technologies outside of school, and thus they can now use those same skills inside the classroom effectively on their school work. As well, the students may well feel that they need to demonstrate—to further prove—that mobile technologies are valuable, so the school won’t change their mind and re-ban the devices." 

Lastly, the authors give us many examples of the success of 1:1 BYOD initiatives. My favorite story was, "Toms River, NJ: 150 fifth-graders used smartphones from February to June, 2010. The teachers and the Director of Technology claim that all 150 students did every homework assignment on time." There are many more stories detailing the successes of cell phones in school, and the article argues that cell phones in schools are overwhelmingly positive, if the environment is set up correctly. 

Do you have a good success story? Write about it in the comments below! 

Ultimately, across the world, teachers are seeing unprecedented student involvement in schools and an increase in test scores. Cell phones are able to keep up with the ever-changing shifts in technology and software. The future is bright with BYOD initiatives and 1:1 cell phone usage in schools, but teachers must be trained properly and classroom management plans should evolve with the new tech! The authors caution us to always evolve our knowledge with the devices and to implement cell phones on a deeper level than replacing tech activities with pencil and paper assignments. 

Do you have any awesome projects/stories to share on this topic? 

Do you prefer cell phones or laptops in the classroom and why?