Mobile phones in the classroom have always been a controversial topic. Some teachers worry about the potential for student distraction, while others have decided to use them because they offer some positive learning benefits. The reality is that students, especially those ages 12-18, use smartphones on a daily basis. For most, smartphones are their device of choice, and nearly all 95% of all teens have them (Pew Research, 2018). Because this device is so commonplace, it makes sense to leverage its benefits. From a distance learning perspective, the smartphone is a tool that can be used for research, as a mobile diary, a voice recorder, for making videos, and much more. As a modern educator you need to learn how to promote the educational uses of smartphones in a constructive way that supports learning. Here are four simple ways to facilitate the educational use of smartphones:

1. USING SMARTPHONES IN THE
CLASSROOM

2. STUDENTS TECHNOLOGY OF CHOICE IS BY FAR THE
SMARTPHONE

3. ACCORDING TO CELL PHONE CITY ADVOCACY
“on average, an American
receives his/her first cell
phone at the age of 12.1 years
old, just as he/she is starting
middle school
A recent study by Young Canadians in a
Wired World, reveals that not only do 25%
of Grade 4 students have their own
mobile phone, but also, more than one-
third of teens and pre-teens even sleep
with their cellphone.
In addition, 73% of teens, roughly 14.3 million, own a smartphone

4. A MOBILE PHONE
DIARY

5. EMAIL: USE EMAIL TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR
STUDENTS

6. ACCESS: STUDENTS CAN ACCESS EVERYTHING IN THE
GOOGLE SUITE FOR EDUCATION

7. FILL OUT GOOGLE FORMS

8. DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS
APPS

9. TOP EDUCATIONAL APPS USE THESE

10. ABCMOUSE.COM
It uses fun storyline-based
videos, quizzes, and activities
— there's even a virtual map
outlining your child’s learning
path to keep kids engaged
2020

11. BEST APP FOR KIDS IN PRE-SCHOOL
This app is perfect to help
kids learn the skills they’ll
need for starting school.
Hungry Caterpillar Play
School has five main areas of
learning for kids to play in —
shapes and colors, alphabet,
numbers, book reading, and
arts and puzzles.
Hungry Caterpillar Play
School

12. BEST APP FOR KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2020
Quick Math Jr.
Kids know that math can be boring,
but this app transforms numbers into
something more creative and
interactive.

13. BEST APP FOR KIDS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Stack the States 2
Part game, part educational tool, Stack the
States helps kids learn geography and
general knowledge about different states
through a game.

14. BEST APP FOR KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Duolingo
The Duolingo Owl (the app's mascot and icon) has
been popping up as a meme all over social media in
recent months, so chances are your high schooler
knows what Duolingo is.

15. Lightbot: Code Hour
BEST BEGINNER CODING APP FOR KIDS
Lightbot: Code Hour introduces kids of all
ages to the basic concepts of coding and
the logic that computer programmers use
to write code — all without having to
actually code!

16. STARFALL ABC
BEST APP FOR KIDS LEARNING THE ALPHABET
This app gives kids a fun, animated
introduction to learning letters, vowels,
and words.