Support Of Celphones Used In The Clasroom As Teaching Tools
Introduction
With the number of school going teenagers with access to mobile phones on the raise, questions have been raised whether teachers can use mobile phones as teaching tools as opposed to computers or in line with computers. This discussion has elicited mixed views both from policy makers and educators with some in support of the idea and others in the opposing side. Some of the issues those on the opposing side raise are fears that teachers may tend to get very close to their students and hence trigger an unhealthy relationship. Other issues that are raised here include the probability of such an undertaking ending up being expensive in the long run as it has to be maintained in one way or the other. Some of the questions asked by those against the idea include who is going to sponsor the transfer of data, passing of text messages as well as browsing time of these phones?While the implementation hurdles of such an initiative seem insurmountable, there are those who support the whole idea arguing as it may end up benefiting the students more. In this text I advance and support the use of mobile phones in the class room as teaching tools and discuss the various benefits that would accrue if students would be allowed to use them as opposed to computers.
The use of cell phones in the classroom as opposed to computers
According to Cennamo et al. (2009), with the emerging technology cell phones can be utilized to work for instead of against education. After all, majority of students today have cell phones as opposed to a decade or so ago. Cennamo et al. (2009) notes that technology is here t stay and it would hence make more sense for the education system to embrace it fully.
Continuous leaning
According to Abraham et al. (2009), about 70% of school going teenagers have access to a cell phone. Because mobile phones are portable and information can be accessed fro anywhere, learning will be made continuous if the use of mobile phones is permitted in the classroom setting. Students can complete their assignment on time as they can access it from anywhere. According to a recent study, students claimed that they would rather be seen in a park or other recreation centers with a phone other than with a book (Brooks 2009). With that in mind, it is clear that allowing students to use mobile phones to compliment their class work will lead them to allocate more time subconsciously to their studies as they can access their notes from anywhere through their cell phones. They can hence read and complete assignments in the park, beside the pool and in the bus on their way home. This can be made easier by using internet search engines like Google, Bing amongst others to assist in their research endeavors. What this means is that learning will not only be continuous but information for research purposes will also be accessible on a continuous basis.
Resources
Abraham et al. (2009), notes that by their nature of being highly portable mobile phones can be used anywhere and with that n mind, students can access class work and information from anywhere and hence they do not need to go to the compute library. This can hence mean that the school will make savings in terms of lower electricity bills and lower web time charges. The costs of date transfer will also be brought down and in that respect, the school can use the cost savings for other more important and urgent projects. This will also be I line with decongesting the computer halls and utilizing the resulting space for other more important purposes. Cennamo et al. (2009) notes that schools waste a lot of money purchasing, installing as well as maintaining computer hardware, software and a host of other support systems. He goes ahead to propose that districts could actually save more money in the long-term by buying cell phones and other PDA devices for students who don’t have.
The cost savings he says will be made as these devices have very little or no maintenance costs at all. After such an initiative, schools administrations can be asked to tailor all their plans and curriculum in such a way that all the assignments and other communication with and from the students will be compatible will their cell phone and PDA devices specific capabilities. Looking at he cost saving from the student’s side, students will not be forced to buy laptops so as to enhance proper receipt, research, completion as well as documentation of assignments. There have been significant drop in the prices of phone handsets and their maintenance is also getting cheaper. Brooks (2009) notes that this will make education cheaper and accessible to all.
Communication of emerging issues
Spector (2008) notes that cell phones can be used to compliment and support classroom and as a standard communication tool on issues ranging from class issues and assignments to those touching on other extracurricular activities. These extracurricular activities include sports events, symposiums etc and information to be communicated about them could range from their scheduling, areas of concentration as well as participation procedures. This is because unlike computers, cell phones are accessible on a 24 hour basis and hence information sent can be easily, speedily and conveniently retrieved.
Emerging technology
Abraham et al. (2009), notes that one area that cell phones can be most beneficial in the classroom is with regard to the emerging technology. First, we have websites that can greatly complement the education process. Amongst these is foneshow.com which is a recent website that users can use to listen to pod casts. This they can do through their phones and apart from that, this website also allows users to come up with a radio show. Bruff (2010) notes that amongst those who can greatly benefit from his website are those who are visually impaired.It is also important to note that because the infrastructure is already there, schools should allow the use of cell phones as a teaching tool. Websites like Watpad.com and fileshare.com enhance documents sharing through the use of cell phones. Teachers can hence utilize such a website to SMS documents to students after posting it at apparently no additional cost.
Such documents can also be retrieved in future through the link provided using the cell phone. Polleverywhere.com is a recent website where participants can engage as well as participate in polls without necessarily having to reveal their identity. This website if used correctly within the class setting can be utilized by teachers to collect information from students with regard to the various aspects of a subject or course work. Because participants are not required to leave any of their personal; details, students can participate in a poll as to what they like and dislike with regard to schoolwork without fear of victimization. This is a concept that can be used by school administrators to make better policies that are acceptable across the board. Other website that can prove to be very useful in the classroom setting is google.com. Google has a chat service that can be used by teachers to constantly communicate to their students in a very cost effective way.
Innovation
Cennamo et al. (2009) notes that technology and innovation will be the main driving force across all the sectors in the 21st century. With that in mind, there have been calls to embrace technology and innovation in education to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. Abraham et al. (2009), notes that the incorporation of cell phones in the classroom as a teaching tool is the way to go. He says that cell phones will enable and enhance more creativity through flexible research and this will make work easier for the instructors. Teachers can use this innovative way of communication to communicate assignments, suggest more readings etc. Cennamo et al. (2009) also notes that most of the 21st century business will be facilitated by the use of cell phone. He therefore believes that allowing students to use cell phones in the classroom in relation to their education efforts will end benefiting them in the long-term. He goes on to note that in this arrangement, students can learn to use cell phones professionally by giving them a valid reason to use their phones in a more productive manner.
Conclusion
It is clear that the benefits of using cell phones as a teaching tool override the negative aspects of the initiative. Policy makers and education institutions should therefore ensure that they embrace this concept so as to increase the efficiency as well as effectiveness of education in the 21st century going forward.
References
Abraham, L.B. & William L. (2009). Electronic Discourse in Language Learning and Language Teaching. John Benjamins Publishing Company
Bruff, D. (2010). Cell phones use: embracing innovations. Journal of comparative education, 32, 116-121
Brooks, S. (2009). Cell phones and education: the modern approach. Journal of business education, 23, 125-136
Cennamo, K., Ross, J.D., & Ertmer, P.A. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. Cengage Learning
Spector, J.M. (2008). Handbook of research on educational communications and technology3rd Edition. Taylor & Francis
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