The document discusses future trends in using mobile devices in education. It notes that while only a small percentage of educators currently use mobile devices in the classroom, this practice is growing. Mobile devices are being used to access educational apps, microblogs, blogs, databases, and cloud computing. This allows for more personalized instruction and collaboration. However, there are also challenges like student distraction, cheating, and the need for teachers to spend time teaching the technology. Overall, the document predicts that mobile devices will become more standard in education as specific software and practices are developed to address limitations and challenges.

1. Future Trends In Education:
Mobile Devices
By Jeremy Yarbro

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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