connected from birth to the classroom?

photo by thecrowells- flickr

mobile technology and social networking sites within !schools across the country, we have to ask:  

As educational institutions advocate for more access to  

what are the benefits to using mobile devices as educational tools ?

photo by mortsan- flickr

photo by quinn.anya- Flickr

The Toronto District School Board recently voted to lift the ban on mobile use in classrooms and has begun initiatives to incorporate cellular devices as a vital learning tool within its schools.

A lot of parents disagree with the school’s decision.

photo by gelatobaby- flickr

Photo by PictureYouth- Flickr

In United States high schools, 98% of students have access to some kind of smartphone, according to a report by Blackboard and Project Tomorrow.

so, what tools are available for use in the mobile classroom?

Photo by SFU Public Affairs and Media Relations- Flickr

A great E-learning tool for little naturists is NOAH– an app that enables users to identify types of bugs and trees by uploading a picture and receiving details of the exact type in as little as 24 hours.

Photo by USFWS Headquarters- Flickr

photo by chucka_mc- flickr

Studying Abroad?

Apps such as iLingual and Talk to Me help students learn the local language on field trips abroad while fully emerged in their learning experience.

photo by swimparallel- flickr

CO$T and convenience

other benefits in turning to learning tools available on smartphones and tablets for reasons of both

photo by ben_grey- flickr

“Do you ever leave the house without your phone?”

“The beauty of a mobile phone is that

it’s always there.”

photo by hello turkey toe- flickr

how convenient!

photo by ciccioetneo- flickr

photo by david boyle- flickr photo by david boyle- flickr

procrastination nation

Some mobile education advocates believe that the tablet’s current shortcoming—limited multitasking– could be its greatest asset in education, forcing students to focus on one task at a time.

“a tried-and-true platform to let conversations flourish”

#twitter is another example of a cost-efficient tool for mobile learning as it keeps the conversation continuing outside of the classroom, fuelling more class involvement than ever before.

photo by VinothChandar- flickr

photo by johan larrson- flickr

photo by pink sherbet- flickr

Attendance for iPhone is an app created for Teachers that allows them to easily take attendance in their classrooms by taking a photo of a student and uploading it to their class list.

Parents can also track their child’s grades and keep more up to date on their learning progression through apps such as SchoolCircuit and myGradeBook.

photo by esparta- flickr

what do you think about mobility in the classroom? useful or useless?

tweet your thoughts @candaceberes

slideshow presentation by: Candace Beres

Sources used: the new york times online, mashable.com, nationalpost.ca, nassp.org,

thejournal.com

photo by seyed motafa zamani- flickr