Surprise...technology that students today can't live without!

What can it be?  

Is it their laptop, Netflix, a refrigerator in their room?  

Nope, it’s their smartphone. 

If you ask a student what is the first thing and last thing that they look at each day, that would be their answer.  How can educators work this to their advantage?  The pedagogical functions that a smartphone can provide are quite extensive.  A few years ago the trend began for educators to invite students to “BYOD” or to “bring your own device” to school (Bresnahan, 2015).  By integrating the devices that students already have with them is a logical step.  These are a tool just like a laptop, notebook, or a textbook (Bresnahan, 2015). 

ISTE also encourages that students use their smartphones for learning.  They recommended six different ways that students can benefits from their beloved devices while in school.  (Ehnie, 2020)

1. Create short videos for presentations.

2.  Scan QR codes for class lessons.

3.  Access an online dictionary or thesaurus during lessons for better understanding of concepts.

4.  Collaborate and share with Padlet and Twitter.

5.  Listen to podcast and read new relating to lessons in class.

6.  Use apps to access classwork and blended learning opportunities. 

Actually every one of these options can be achieved in the elementary school that I work at today.  Teachers have creatively used a “Snapchat” filter to make students looks old for the 100^th day of school worksheets.  We use the Clever.com platform at our school for students to access their daily lessons and programs through a QR code.  Teachers use Padlet for daily lessons and students that do not have access to the internet for their computer devices, certainly have cellphone coverage and can access Padlet and Clever using a smartphone.  Listening to podcasts and YouTube can allow them to expand their knowledge related lessons in class.  The apps are endless.  Everything needed at my school for students can be accessed through an app.  All of the student devices are on a Google platform and all of that can be accessed on an Android or Apple device. 

To provide a framework of the value of smartphones to enhance learning here is a Technology Integration Matrix.  This matrix includes the levels of technology integration of Adoption Level, Infusion Level and Transformation Level.  They are then related to the Characteristics of the Learning Environment using Active Learning, Constructive Learning, and Goal-oriented Learning (Technology integration matrix: Table of student descriptors, 2020).  Using the student descriptors in this table will help show how smartphones can actively help students learn each and every day. 

Technology Integration Matrix	Adoption Level	Infusion Level	Transformation Level
Active Learning	Students use their smartphones in classroom to respond to search queries or watching videos provided by links from the teacher.	Whether students are on their school Chromebook or smartphone in class or at home, they can access apps through their Clever.com log-in to access lessons or homework.	Teachers can request that student research or inquiry about subjects discussed in class for deeper learning opportunities, then share the links with students in the class through the google classroom portal.
Constructive Learning	Students build on their prior knowledge of their smartphone apps and tools to provide better ways to research questions by the teacher.	Students consistently can access their phones while at home, school or traveling to complete educational lessons.  Therefore, reinforcing or facilitating their construction of understanding.	Students can share their understanding with other students and teachers through many applications available on a smartphone including but not limited to their class twitter account, their Google classroom, video apps, and other portals created by the teacher.
Goal-Directed Learning	Students may receive directions, guidance or feedback via technology using their smartphones.  Through the Padlet app or a Google classroom, teachers can send lessons, videos, links for deeper learning to students to view prior to class.	Students regularly use technology independently through their smartphones to access their grades to monitor progress and evaluate the results of their efforts in class.	Smartphone allow students to have access to calendar planning apps to help organize their activities and with the access to teacher websites and class information they can help take ownership and responsibility for their learning.

This video by Mary Montag, an educator from Carolina Forest High School in Columbia, SC, explains how she came to allow students to use their cell phones in class and “discovered how she went from transferring knowledge to them to helping students find, own and use information themselves” (Ehnie, 2020). 

Sooner or later, we might realize that maybe students can access our education tools more then they let on.  Don’t let them fool you…students today grew up with technology all around them.  They know how to use it, we just have to use that to our advantage. 

Useful links for educators:

Using Cell Phones as Learning Tools - Education Corner

How to use cell phones as teaching tools - Teach Hub

Bresnahan, K. (2015, September 4). BYOD: The new trend favoring cell phones in schools. Retrieved from EdTechReview website: http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/trends/2012-cell-phones-in-school

Ehnie, K. (2020, January 23). 6 ways to use students' smartphones for learning. Retrieved from ISTE website: https://www.iste.org/explore/toolbox/6-ways-use-students-smartphones-learning

Montag, M. (January, 9 2020). One thing that changed everything about the way I teach. Retrieved from YouTube website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ37VZ82aNY#action=share

Technology integration matrix: Table of student descriptors. (2020, February 22). Retrieved from Florida center for instructional technology: https://fcit.usf.edu/matrix/student-descriptors-table/

Jennifer Gibson