The present-day student is a digital native, and the traditional chalkboard is not sufficient in learning. Increasing technology has paved the way for a liberated approach to learning that connects teachers to students and connects parents. Smartphones provide new opportunities for students to foster critical development skills necessary for learners in the 21st century. So can a smartphone act as an educational tool? In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using smartphones in education.
Benefits of smartphones in education
1. Smartphones as a knowledge source
Gone are the days when students only relied wholly on teachers, books, and parents for knowledge. Knowledge sources are now diversified, and one of the present knowledge sources we have is the internet. Having a mobile phone on standby makes it easy to look up answers on the internet without running to books all the time. The internet is currently the most extensive library globally, and an internet connection makes it easy to look up and straightforward doubts immediately.
2. Time management
A cell phone makes it easy to manage your time. While it cannot directly handle your time for you, you will be able to set timelines for tasks and do the right thing at the right time. You can keep track of your homework and due dates.
This will be a perfect reminder as you carry your mobile phone almost everywhere you go. It will be easier to check and record deadlines and upcoming dates. You can use your smartphone as an alarm to wake you up in the morning and to set reminders to do a sure thing in the day. You can also use your phone to organize to-do lists and remind yourself of tasks you need to perform on future dates.
3. Recording confusing concepts
Students can take photos, videos, or audio of confusing concepts and capture information to then study later for reference. This makes it easy to store data and increases the accessibility of information. Students are also faster at taking notes using their phones compared to handwritten letters.
There are applications such as Evernote that capture ideas as notes, videos, or URLs and make the notes logical and easy to understand. You can hire academic essay writers for professional writing services on confusing concepts.
4. Collaboration
Smartphones make collaboration and synchronization between the students, teachers, parents, and the broader outside community easier. Social interaction makes it easier for the students to stay continually connected.
5. Portable learning aid
The smartphone is a portable learning aid, and students do not have to wait up to computer class time to look things up. With a solid internet connection, the students can look up information anywhere. One does not need to go to the library to dig up information. When a teacher advises students to use technology to advance their studies, they will happily do so as they love technology.
Smartphones are easily accessible, with almost every household having at least one phone. This, therefore, makes the smartphone a powerful portable learning aid. As Joan Young said, “Smartphones can be a distraction, but it is undeniable that they can be embraced as a powerful learning tool.” Get professional essay writing help from expert writers.
6. A platform for practical learning tools
A smartphone can compute and display tailored and personalized content for an individual. Applications are equipped with geo-referencing, search tabs, and simulations that make it effortless to customize learning tools on the smartphone.
Multiple mediums tailored for individual preferences allow students to control their education and have a sense of ownership of the education process. Students are more willing to engage in studies when content is delivered dynamically and efficiently.
7. Help during emergencies
Sometimes students might find themselves in emergencies at school, home, or in the streets. A smartphone makes it easy to make a distress call to the parents, teachers, or even emergency services. Many unprecedented incidents and accidents occur in schools, and a smartphone makes it easy for all the concerned parties to always stay in touch. Hire essay experts for academic writing services.
8. Data transfer
Smartphones make data transfer easy and seamless. It is now easy to share lesson notes via mail, Whatsapp, or other platforms. One can also track the documents using comments and highlight key points in the papers.
Sharing documents across smartphones also reduces the wastage brought about by printing a lot of paper. Smartphones are therefore more than just a classroom tool, but they are a conduit that makes information accessible. A look into the current university setting shows that students are increasingly using smartphones to aid their research in higher education.
9. Learning apps
There are many learning apps available on smartphones that play different roles for students. A student can download these apps for free or for a small one-off fee. From these apps, a student can get the help they need.
The apps provide comprehensive information on new topics and educational videos that make learning very easy. The versatility of the apps makes them easy to use for different functions.
10. Location apps
With the location apps, you can always know where your child is as a parent. It also makes it easy for you to know where to pick up your child from. It is a good idea for the location to stay on for safety purposes.
11. Entertainment
As a student, one can be stressed up by a lot of things. Thankfully, a smartphone is packed up with a lot of entertainment alternatives. Be it novels, cartoons, movies, or games, there is always something entertaining on a mobile phone. The entertainment gives one peace of mind and stress relief from the consistent buzz of school work.
Smartphones offer great and dynamic opportunities to enhance learning. Blending the traditional teaching method with the current teaching approach makes learning easy and effective. Consequently, smartphones have made learning easy for brainstorming, self-reflection, vocabulary practice, and feedback. The key to success in formal learning is integration. Regulating and integrating smartphones into the school teaching process will make the experience easy and dynamic in more than one way.
