Distraction or Device?

Should mobile electronics be allowed in the classroom to

enhance learning?

By: Emily Bent

Distraction or Device?• Wireless Technology (WiFi)

• Enhance Engagement

• Additional Activities

• Preparing for Real World Occurrences

• Further Communication

What are Mobile Devices?

LaptopiPad

iPod TouchiPhone

Android

Images from www.apple.com and www.android.com

Distraction or Device?

• Interruptions• Disengagement• Personal Property

Research

• American children spend 7.5 hours per

day utilizing this media (Kamenetz).

– Five years ago, only 6.5 hours per day

(Nusca)

• Over 5 billion mobile users worldwide

(Kamenetz).

• Per the Department of Education for the

National Education Technology Plan,

– "efforts to ensure that all students and educators

have 24/7 access to the Internet via devices,

including mobile devices, and that states, districts,

and schools adopt technologies and policies to

enable leveraging the technology that students

already have."

Funding• The U.S. Department of Education has

earmarked $5 billion in competitive school-reform grants to scale up pilot programs and evaluate best practices of all kinds (Kamenetz).– Grants– Federal Funding– Business Partners– Box Tops– Limeade’s for Learning

Etiquette

• Silence noises and rings• Ask for permission to use at appropriate time• Watch what you write• Respect other’s property• Don’t during instruction, unless requested by

teacher

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

• Wants access to real-time information and media

Student

• Wants students to use media properly and as a tool for learning

Teacher

• Wants to protect privacy and security of school population

Administration

Applications

Images from www.apple.com/itunes

Yrjö Engeström’s:

How to Extend an Activity?

(Fang)

Classroom Example

• Group students to create a poster project on a

content area subject (ie: planets). Each group

embeds a QR code with additional information

that was compiled on web site, an extension of

the poster project. Students then circulate

around the room and scan QR code to learn

about the other projects.

Classroom Example

• Students track and organize classroom

assignments and information using

productivity applications. This reduces

confusion, late assignments, and use of

paper.

Into the Future• Technology is not going away, students, teachers,

and administration will have to work together to implement it to provide better and innovative learning opportunities.

Works Cited

• Fang, Berlin. “From Distraction to Engagement: Wireless Devices in the Classroom.” Educause Quarterly. EQ, 2009. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

• Gahala, Jan. “Critical Issue: Promoting Technology Use in Schools.” North Central Regional Education Library. Learning Point Associates, Oct. 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

• Glasbergen, Randy. Cartoon. Web. http://www.glasbergen.com/educationcartoons/?album=4&gallery=91

• Kamenetz, Anya. “A is for App: How Smartphones, Handheld Computers Sparked an Educational Revolution.” Fast Company. Fast Company, 1 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

• Nusca, Andrew. “Study: American Kids Spend 7.5 hours per Day using Electronics.” ZDNet. Between the Lines, 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.

• Watters, Audrey. “Cellphones in the Classroom: Distraction or Tool?” Read Write Web. Read Write Web, 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.