Mobile devices and apps can provide educational benefits if used responsibly in the classroom. They give students access to tools for subjects like math, science, languages, and more. Apps exist for studying abroad, identifying plants and insects, step-by-step problem solving, and lowering textbook costs. Teachers can also use mobile apps to take attendance and share grades with parents. However, some argue that students may become distracted, and that mobile devices are not always the best way to learn. Opinions vary on whether mobility in the classroom is useful or if it poses too many problems.

1. connected from birth to the classroom? photo by thecrowells- flickr

2. photo by swimparallel - flickr mobile technology and social networking sites within As educational institutions advocate for more access to schools across the country, we have to ask:

3. ? what are the benefits to using mobile devices as educational tools photo by mortsan- flickr

4. The Toronto District School Board recently voted to lift the ban on mobile use in classrooms and has begun initiatives to incorporate cellular devices as a vital learning tool within its schools. A lot of parents disagree with the school’s decision. photo by quinn.anya- Flickr

5. photo by gelatobaby- flickr “giving a distracted generation a free pass to be distracted in the one place where they should be paying attention, or at least trying to” - Joe O’Connor, The National Post

6. In United States high schools, 98% of students have access to some kind of smartphone, according to a report by Blackboard and Project Tomorrow. “Simply blocking such technologies does students a disservice. An education that fails to account for the responsible use of mobile devices and social networks prepares students for our past, but not for their future.” - David Nagel, THE Journal Photo by PictureYouth- Flickr

7. so, what tools are available for use in the mobile classroom? Photo by SFU Public Affairs and Media Relations- Flickr

8. Photo by USFWS Headquarters- Flickr A great E-learning tool for little naturists is NOAH– an app that enables users to identify types of bugs and trees by uploading a picture and receiving details of the exact type in as little as 24 hours.

9. photo by chucka_mc- flickr For older students, there are study partners available at the touch of a button with Wolfram Alpha’s Calculus, Algebra and Music apps and not only do these study partners know the answer to the questions you ask, but they provide young learners with a step-by-step guide on how the problem was solved.

10. Studying Abroad? Apps such as iLingual and Talk to Me help students learn the local language on field trips abroad while fully emerged in their learning experience. photo by swimparallel- flickr

11. photo by ben_grey- flickr other benefits in turning to learning tools available on smartphones and tablets for reasons of both CO$T and convenience

12. photo by hello turkey toe- flickr “Do you ever leave the house without your phone?” “The beauty of a mobile phone is that it’s always there.” how convenient!

13. Both students and educators are constantly looking for ways to get around expensive textbook fees. Using textbooks available on tablets and mobiles are easier to read, more convenient to carry around in one’s backpack and cost very little in comparison to a hardcover copy. photo byciccioetneo- flickr

14. procrastination nation Some mobile education advocates believe that the tablet’s current shortcoming—limited multitasking– could be its greatest asset in education, forcing students to focus on one task at a time. photo bydavidboyle- flickr photo bydavidboyle- flickr

15. “a tried-and-true platform to let conversations flourish” #twitter is another example of a cost-efficient tool for mobile learning as it keeps the conversation continuing outside of the classroom, fuelling more class involvement than ever before. photo by VinothChandar- flickr

16. Using mobiles in the classroom is also beneficial to teachers and parents as well as students. photo byjohanlarrson- flickr

17. Attendance for iPhone is an app created for Teachers that allows them to easily take attendance in their classrooms by taking a photo of a student and uploading it to their class list. Parents can also track their child’s grades and keep more up to date on their learning progression through apps such as SchoolCircuit and myGradeBook. photo by pink sherbet- flickr

18. photo by esparta- flickr what do you think about mobility in the classroom? useful or useless? tweet your thoughts @candaceberes

19. Sources used: the new york times online, mashable.com, nationalpost.ca, nassp.org, thejournal.com photo by seyedmotafazamani- flickr slideshow presentation by: Candace Beres