Future Trends In Education:

Mobile DevicesBy Jeremy Yarbro

The Mobile Device Trend• Educators using mobile devices in the classroom are still

a small percentage, but currently growing.• Mobile devices are being used to access

• Educational Apps – Students can learn content through programs and games specifically targeting key concepts.

• Micro blogs – Students can check and respond to teacher posts, keeping lines of communication open and fun.

• Blogs – Teacher can post key information for the course so students can check on mobile device

• Databases – Students can access vast amounts of information in the classroom through their mobile device

• Cloud computing – Students have more ability to work together on projects and learning assignments.

• Books/Textbooks – Students can read textbooks on a smaller device, so they do not need to carry a large bags of books through school

Benefits• Mobile devices allow students to learn anytime,

anywhere.• Allows more personalized instruction.• Mobile devices are inexpensive for districts compared

to other technology like desktop computers• Most students already have a mobile device and know

how to use them.• Students enjoy using mobile devices.• They are small and easy to transport.• They allow for easier access to more collaboration and

information in the classroom than other forms of technology.

• There are already many educational apps available for mobile devices that can help educators teach key concepts in fun ways.

• Mobile devices allow access to information and education even in poor areas and developing countries where access to traditional educational tools is limited.

Challenges• With more access to information and collaboration,

increased possibilities for – Student distraction– Cheating– Plagiarism

• Many teachers are outright opposed to cell phones in the classroom.

• There are a few physical limitations, like small screen size and battery life.

• Mobile devices in the classroom are new, so there is no consistent educational philosophy or pedagogy yet.

• There are many different makes and models of cell phones and other mobile devices which would make consistency difficult.

• Teachers will have to spend more time teaching the technology, which leaves less time for content instruction.

• Technology is constantly changing, and the mobile devices we teach today might be outdated tomorrow.

My Predictions• I believe that mobile devices in the classroom will grow

and become the standard technology for education. • They will still need to be used in conjunction with other

forms of technology though, like desktop computers in order to address the physical limitations of mobile devices

• As they grow in use, specific software and teaching practices will be designed to address cheating and plagiarism.

• Although there are already a lot of mobile resources available to teach with, I think that once the education world opening accepts mobile devices, the technology will more rapidly adapt to serve educational needs.

Supporting Sources• McCaffrey, M. (2011, February 8) Why Mobile is a Must. The Journal. http

://thejournal.com/articles/2011/02/08/why-mobile-is-a-must.aspx

• Roopanarine, L. (2012, May 30) Mobile phone boom in developing world could boost e-learning. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/may/30/mobile-phone-developing-world-elearning

• Shuler, C. (2009). Pockets of Potential: Using Mobile Technologies to Promote Children’s Learning, New York: The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

• Trotter, A. (2009, January 9) Mobile Devices Seen as Key to 21st-Century Learning. EdWeek. http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2009/01/09/04mobile.h02.html

• West, M. & Vosloo, S. (2012, June 13) Making the Case for Mobile Tech. Expansion. EdWeek. http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2012/06/13/03opinion.h05.html