Using Smartphones in the classroom

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In order to have effective instruction in today's classrooms, we must include use of the various technologies that are available to our students. "In today's technology-driven society, new technology tools and new versions of older tools are emerging at a dizzying rate" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 6. We don't want our students to feel as if they are walking back in time when they enter our classrooms. Our students spend numerous hours on their favorite gadgets daily. Therefore, it is imperative that we find ways to incorporate technology into our classrooms. The video shows ways to incorporate smartphones into an algebra class. However, smartphone usage can be applied to any subject. Think about it, as Robyler and Doering (2013, p.204) states "Most of us cannot remember a time when cell phones and text messaging were not the norm; when we couldn't "google" something we did not understand; or a time when emailing was not a daily activity." If we cannot remember a time without our smartphones for immediate needs and convenience, imagine how dependent our students are on them for convenience. "Being always connected on our smartphones and tablets has led to rapid developments in communication characteristics"(Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 205).

Though I'd be concerned with being able to monitor students activity on the smartphones and keeping them on task, there are numerous ways to integrate the use of smartphones into subjects. I could let students use them to read messages on blogs for homework assignments, to research material for any topic, to add or view their own prezis, blogs, etc. Students could also ask questions via social networks or others blogs. Moreover, they could play interactive games related to the objective being taught.

Some apps that could be beneficial on the smartphone include:

Brainpop app= http://www.brainpop.com/apps/landing. This app gives mobile access to free Featured Movie, and a full collection of hundreds of movies and quizzes on a range of subject areas.

Brainquest app= http://www.brainquest.com/app/. This app covers many subject areas in which the students will be given questions to tackle. They are given points and coins to progress in the game.

Ballooon Pop app= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.divmob.popmath.game&hl=en. This is a fun way for students to practice basic math. The pairs of bubbles with numbers and operator float on the screen and the students pop the corresponding bubbles. The options give you the ability to change the operation to addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Students may work on all four operations are once. The difficulty level: easy, medium and hard can also be chosen.

Fractions app= http://www.iear.org/iear/2010/7/23/pizza-fractions-levels-1-2-3.html
Pizza Fractions: Beginning With Simple Fractions is one of three fraction-based games developed by Brian West. This game, deemed as Level 1, is geared towards students who are just beginning to develop an understanding of fractions or who needs review of this topic, (2nd grade - 6th grade). This level provides a basic introduction to the concept of fractions in an interactive and engaging format.


These are just a few of many applications (apps) that may be used in the classroom. "The new literacies require a high level of critical sophistication from our students, and it is only through instruction and experiences with new technologies that they will develop these skills" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 268).