Education Technology

Smart phones are an incredible educational tool for both educators and students. I have an Android Smart Phone and I can do pretty much everything with it that I can do on my computer or laptop or tablet. This means that I always have access to my data, files, information, and can do work anywhere. Students have the same ability with their smart phones. They have access to information, class resources, and so much more at any time. Instead of buying a $200 graphing calculator, they can buy a $0.99 app. There are tons of great apps out there for educators and students to use.

Here are some mobile / smart phone apps and resources for students and teachers:

100 Mobile Tools for Teachers - mobile sites and resources for teachers

Android for Education - resources, apps, links, and much more

10 Great, Free Apps for Students for Notetaking and Class Planning
My students used their cellphones in class - and I encouraged it!Google Calendar and cell phonesInfographic on Mobile devices and Studying - and free apps to help

ASCD (Association for Curriculum and Development) has taken statistics from a variety of sources and coalates it into a nice infographic about students, mobile learning, learning methods and what high school students want in mobile learning.

The research shows that banning mobile devices in school does not work and that schools should be embracing these devices and helping students use them for learning. Some of the stats:

63 percent of students attending schools carry their mobile devices despite the rules (probably conservative)
63 percent of students want online textbooks with communication facilities;
40 percent want online texts with collaboration tools.
43 percent stated social media is one of the main ways they communicate with friends online.
62 percent of student use the Internet as a new source; whereas 17 percent use it to gain knowledge concerning topics generally difficult to talk about — such as drug use.

I am one of those teachers who hastes the rule banning these devices. I've allowed my students to use them in class before and, along with some other faculty, is pushing to change the rules. Android for Education resources and apps