Technology:Trends in Education

The trend that will change education most radically in the future is a “move away from desktop machines to integrated mobile units”.

Handheld devices such as a smart phone, iPad, Nook, and many

others are becoming more affordable and more convenient to use.

The majority of students have some kind of hand held device and often more than one.

Most students now would be considered “digital natives” or children who have been brought up with technology.

According to Anya Kamenetz of Fast Company magazine:

“The new connectedness isn’t just for the rich. Mobile adoption is happening faster worldwide than that of color TV a half-century ago.

Mobile-phone subscribers hit approximately 5 billion during 2010; more than 2 billion of those live in developing countries, with the fastest

growth in Africa.

THE CELL PHONE:Educational Tool or Distraction?

“One-third of cell owners (33%) say that their phone is a smartphone.”

“When asked what device they normally use to access the internet, 25% of smartphone owners say that they

mostly go online using their phone, rather than with a computer.”

The smart phone is the tool that will become important to education first.

In a survey by NPD Group, people were asked: Which of the following activities do you perform on your smartphone? This chart illustrates the results:

“Even young children are joining the wireless revolution; over 20% of 6-9 year olds and 60% of

10-14 year olds own a cell phone according to C&R Research.”

“About 65 percent of the U.S. population, or over 200 million people, will have a smartphone and/or tablet in 2015, according to the

research firm In-Stat.”

Advantages to Using Handheld Devices in the

Classroom

1. Most students already have one.

2. It is easy to access a wealth of information very quickly.

3. There are many different features to accommodate learning.

4. Students already know how to use them, so teachers do not have to spend a lot of time teaching them.

5. They are multi-sensory and accommodate different learning styles.

6. They are fun to use.

How to Use a Handheld Device in the Classroom:1. Calendar and Agenda – Record Homework2. Listen to Music3. Internet4. Word Processing5. Read Books6. Play Games7. Take Pictures8. Communicate on Social Networking Sites9. Texting information10. Calculator11. Email12. Communication

Problems With Handheld Devices in the Classroom:

1. Cheating2. Distraction from lesson3. Children become used to being entertained4. Using the device for something other than the teacher’s intended purpose5. Smaller screens could make tasks more challenging6. Potential to be noisy and disruptive7. Theft

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