In today’s digital world, teachers are faced with the considerable challenge of getting students to put down their mobile devices in the classroom. Students are often inclined to take out their devices and check their texts or scroll through social media. When students give in to this inclination, it disrupts classroom management, their ability to stay focused on their tasks, inhibits their capacity to produce authentic work, and hampers their overall cognitive thinking skills and productivity. The daily responsibilities of teachers include delivering lessons, collecting data, meeting with students, and providing individualized support to students. Teachers simply don’t have the time to be constantly battling against students using mobile devices in the classroom. Interrupting a lesson to ask a student to put down their device and refocus takes away from other students’ learning experiences and creates unnecessary distractions. However, recent evidence suggests that students persist in using mobile devices in the classroom, even when policies prohibit their use. Therefore, it has become necessary for teachers, staff, and administration to proactively transform classrooms by considering students’ perspectives and embracing the integration of today’s technology (Lieberman, 2019; Morgan, n.d.). By capitalizing on the use of these devices, we can enhance educational opportunities, utilize mobile devices as valuable tools, and engage students in meaningful ways.
The integration of technology is of utmost importance in our current times, as it aligns with the direction our future is heading. In the 21st century, integrating technology in classrooms is playing a crucial role in developing various skills for students, including social, creative, critical thinking, reasoning, and decision-making (Noah, 2007). Increasing evidence shows that integrating technology positively impacts student achievement and academic performance. For instance, imagine a math classroom where students can access a digital math application that offers personalized learning experiences. This program adapts to each student’s skill level, provides immediate feedback, and offers interactive lessons and practice exercises. In the classroom, students can access this math application on their mobile devices at any time. It can be utilized for various purposes, such as starting activities as students enter the class, engaging in individualized work and practice, or completing exit tickets to assess learning before leaving the class. This example of technology integration helps to directly impact students’ learning experiences by providing individualized support and tracking students’ progress in real-time. Technology through handheld devices also offers students various benefits such as online syllabi, reminders, online discussions, collaborative notetaking, digital libraries, and more. These learning experiences could not be made possible without the integration and use of technology. By incorporating technology into the classroom, teachers can provide students with valuable experiences that improve their academic outcomes and equip them with the necessary skills for success in higher education and the workforce (Noah, 2007).
However, to ensure the effective integration of phone devices in the classroom, stakeholders must establish a policy with clear expectations regarding when and how to use mobile devices in the classroom. By collaborating and setting guidelines, teachers, administrators, and parents can ensure that mobile devices are integrated to benefit students’ education. Administrators will need to collaborate with the school board to obtain licenses and proper documentation for mobile applications intended for use by teachers and students. Additionally, they must establish clear procedures and policies among teachers to ensure a cohesive learning environment. As well as providing teachers with resources and professional development to help teachers integrate digital applications and resources effectively. Teachers should conduct research and proactively plan interactive learning activities to implement mobile devices in the classroom effectively. Additionally, they should be prepared to adjust and address challenges that may arise concerning using these devices. By staying informed and adaptable, teachers can maximize the benefits of mobile devices and ensure a positive learning experience for students. School officials should effectively communicate the technology integration policy to parents, clearly outlining the objectives, expectations, and benefits of the phone device policy and usage. Parents, in turn, should engage in conversations with their students and collaborate with teachers to ensure consistent policy enforcement at home and in the classroom. This open and collaborative approach helps establish a shared understanding and reinforces the importance of responsible device use for students’ academic success. In today’s world, the integration of technology is highly important. Establishing parameters collaborating with stakeholders, and integrating digital applications are crucial to ensure students’ future success in education.
References:
Lieberman, M. (2019). Students are using Mobile even if you aren’t. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/02/27/mobile-devicestransform-classroom-experiences-and
Morgan, K. (n.d.). The Pros & Cons of Cell Phone Usage in College. Retrieved from https://education.seattlepi.com/pros-cons-cell-phone-usage-college-1578.html
Noah, T. (2007, November 5). Why do we need Technology Integration? The Myriad Benefits of Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-importance