ToniTwissLitReview

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Mobile Phones in the ClassroomA directed study project byToni TwissDSOE590-08D (HAM)School of EducationUniversity of Waikato2009

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Abstract

This paper set out to answer how schools and educators might consider using mobilephones to support effective teaching and learning opportunities by reviewingliterature which explores both the negative and positive impacts of mobile phone usein the classroom.The key findings point to a lack of informed decision making by schools on mobilephone policy. Findings suggest a wide variety of opportunities for enhancingclassroom learning through the flexibility of time and place in which learning canoccur and the ability to offer context based learning opportunities. The use of mobilephones have been found to be effective in building relationships particularly withmore non-traditional or disengaged students. Negative aspects of mobile phone useby students include socially unacceptable behaviour, such as the serious nature of ‘txt-bullying’ as well as being a classroom distraction and having impacts on loweringliteracy rates.Mobile phone use in classrooms may still be largely the focus of research reportsrather than mainstream adoption by schools yet if teachers are open-minded andbegin to explore the technology that so many of their students are already bring in tothe classroom there is huge potential for enabling a variety of effective learningstrategies.

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Contents

Abstract...............................................................................................................................2Contents..............................................................................................................................3Introduction.........................................................................................................................4Trends and Progess............................................................................................................6Digital Students and their Digital Tools............................................................................6The Horizon Report.........................................................................................................7Perceived negatives of the use of mobile phones in the classroom..................................10Current school policy..................................................................................................10Unacceptable Social Behaviours...............................................................................11Bullying......................................................................................................................12Concept of time and place and the ability to switch off...............................................14Distraction from classroom learning...........................................................................15Detriment to physical health.......................................................................................16Potential uses of mobile phones in the classroom............................................................18mLearning – a definition.............................................................................................18Flexibility in the time and place learning can occur....................................................22Context based content delivery..................................................................................24Enabling access.........................................................................................................25Building relationships with non-traditional learners and disengaged youth................26Access to the mobile web..........................................................................................27Information Literacy...........................................................................................................29Defining information literacy.......................................................................................29Information Literacy in the New Zealand Curriculum..................................................32Increased access to information................................................................................34Conclusion........................................................................................................................36References........................................................................................................................38