dema.alnajjar@ontariotechu.net

Ontario Tech University

Abstract

Mobile technology has emerged as a promising educational approach that integrates mobile devices within the classroom environment. Mobile technology has become increasingly prevalent in K-12 education, offering both advantages and disadvantages in the learning process. This chapter examines the benefits and drawbacks of integrating mobile technology and mobile learning in K-12 classrooms, highlighting its potential to enhance student engagement, access to resources, and personalize learning experiences, while also acknowledging concerns about distractions, cyberbullying, and online safety, and the digital divide.

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, tablets, and iPads, mobile devices have become powerful tools for accessing information and engaging with educational content anytime, anywhere. Mobile learning enables students of different ages to leverage these devices to access a vast array of educational resources, including interactive applications, games, digital textbooks, and online platforms. By integrating mobile technology into the classroom, educators can facilitate personalized learning experiences that cater to students’ individual needs. On the other hand, one of the primary concerns is the negative impacts of using mobile devices in the classroom and the ability of students to focus and pay attention. The allure of social media, gaming, and other non-educational applications can easily distract students, hindering their ability to concentrate on learning tasks and diminishing overall academic performance. This chapter carefully considers the advantages and the disadvantages of mobile technology and mobile learning in K-12 education and suggests future recommendations for educators to leverage mobile technology effectively in class to maximize the benefits and minimize potential drawbacks.

Keywords

K-12 education, mobile devices, mobile learning, mobile technology,

Introduction

Mobile technologies have revolutionized various aspects of our lives, including education. It has changed the way we accrue knowledge and information. Mobile learning, also known as m-learning, refers to the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and iPads, to facilitate learning and educational experiences. Using mobile technologies has impacted students’ behavior from different levels. Students in the past were required to put great effort into learning and finding information.

They used to take notes, search for books, and memorize the knowledge they needed to learn. On the other hand, today’s students can, with a few clicks on their mobile devices, search and learn anything, anytime, anywhere. This makes students rely on mobile devices rather than building real knowledge and skills. Schools are one reason for this change, encouraging the use of mobile learning. Reducing paperwork and replacing books with devices in classrooms are making students today depend on their mobile devices for nearly everything. According to Ravizza (2014), “the use of these devices in the classroom can have both positive and negative effects on classroom learning” (p. 1). Cell phone use statistics found that 95% of students bring their phones to class every day, with 92% using them to text in class, and even 10% admitted to having texted during an exam (Tindell and Bohlander, 2012). This is enough data to cause controversy and have many wondering about the use of mobile technology in education.

Using Mobile Devices in Classrooms

Mobile technology’s integration into the classroom has both advantages and disadvantages. While these portable devices offer numerous opportunities for enhancing the learning experience, they also come with challenges that need to be carefully considered. It is important for educators to explore and learn about both the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile devices in the classroom in order to create the needed balance, deliver the curriculum, and achieve the learning goals in the best way possible.

Advantages of Using Mobile Devices in Classrooms

Access to Information

Students today are described as “digital natives” Prensky (2001). They have grown up in the era of technology where information can be easily accessed. One of the significant advantages of mobile devices in the classroom is the immediate access to a vast amount of information. The use of mobile devices in the classroom improves acquiring knowledge and understanding. With a few taps on the screen, students can explore online libraries, digital resources, and educational apps. They can conduct research, access e-books, and engage with multimedia content that provides a depth of knowledge beyond what traditional textbooks offer. Recently there is an interest in using e-textbooks to replace paper-based textbooks (Yuen, Cheung & Tsang, 2012). Mobile devices empower students to be active seekers of information, fostering independent learning and critical thinking skills.

Interactive and Engaging Learning

According to Mango (2015), electronic devices have a positive impact on students’ engagement with learning. Mobile devices revolutionize the learning experience by providing interactive and engaging content. It provides a new learning environment beyond the old traditional “teacher-led” learning. The wide range of educational apps, videos, simulations, and gamified platforms captivate students’ attention and immerse them in the subject matter. This interactivity stimulates curiosity, enhances comprehension, and increases retention. By integrating multimedia-rich content, mobile devices enable students to explore complex concepts through visualizations, audio explanations, and hands-on activities, catering to diverse learning preferences.

Personalized Instruction

Every student has unique learning needs and preferences. Mobile devices facilitate personalized instruction by tailoring content, pace, and assessments to individual students. Educational apps and platforms adapt to students’ progress, provide targeted recommendations, and offer instant feedback on their performance. It can also improve the quality of education for students with special needs. Online reading programs, for example, allow students to learn at their own pace while the software automatically tracks their progress and shares it with the teacher. This personalized approach allows students to learn at their own pace, focus on areas of difficulty, and explore advanced topics while fostering independence and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Real-Time Assessment and Feedback

Mobile technologies allow for immediate assessment and feedback. Shute, V. J., & Rahimi, S. (2017) It accelerates the process of evaluation and makes it easier for both teachers and students to track and evaluate their learning progress immediately in the class, compared to traditional assessments. Before using mobile devices, teachers had to correct numerous tests; on the other hand, students had to wait for weeks to get feedback and results. While nowadays, with the interactive features of mobile devices, teachers can use many educational apps and online platforms to administer quizzes, surveys, and interactive activities, making the evaluation process much faster and easier. Students and teachers can check results instantly and quickly, which makes teachers able to identify problems in the learning process and decide whether there is a need to re-explain key concepts to achieve curriculum goals.

Disadvantages of Using Mobile Devices in Classrooms

Distractions

One of the primary disadvantages of mobile devices in the classroom is the potential for distractions. Burns and Lohenry (2010) found that both students and instructors identified mobile devices as a distraction in class. Students may be tempted to engage in non-educational activities such as social media browsing, gaming, or texting during class time. Another point to consider is that using mobile devices while learning needs students to be able to multitask between mobile device usage and classroom activities, which can be another distraction. Galle (2018) states that students may find themselves trying to access other components of the online experience instead of the learning experience. These distractions can significantly impact students’ focus, attention span, and overall learning experience, hindering their academic performance by decreasing comprehension and retention of material.

Cyberbullying and Online Safety

Hinduja and Patchin (2009) define cyberbullying as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices”. The use of mobile devices increases the potential for cyberbullying and online safety concerns. Li (2008) finds that 25% of Canadian students aged 11-15 have reported being targets of cyberbullying. According to this study, 35.9% of students report that they have been cyberbullied using chat rooms. Some students have the potential to engage in harmful online behaviors, such as harassment or sharing inappropriate content and using their mobile devices to create chatrooms and bully peers in the classroom. The anonymity and constant connectivity provided by mobile devices can exacerbate these issues, negatively impacting students’ well-being and creating a hostile learning environment.

Equity Issues

Equity and access to mobile devices in classrooms is a significant concern when integrating technology into education. A lot of schools have started adopting BYOD policies, allowing students to bring their own mobile devices into the classroom for use as an educational tool, which can exacerbate existing equity issues. Not all students may have equal access to mobile devices or reliable internet connectivity to complete assigned homework and activities at home. This digital divide can create disparities in learning opportunities, access to educational resources, and the ability to engage fully in digital learning activities. Also, it may increase bullying among students that are unable to provide a personal device in the classroom and adds financial pressure on families with low incomes. It is a crucial issue that needs to be kept in mind. Educators should consider alternative means of instruction for students who do not have access to mobile devices.

Applications of Using Mobile Devices

Mobile devices, with appropriate applications, can be used across various subjects to enhance learning experiences and students’ engagement. The following are some examples of using mobile technology in different subjects supported by a learning app or website.

In Science

Using mobile devices in science classes, especially with the numerous science-specific apps and simulations available, can provide interactive and engaging learning experiences. Studies have shown that using such technology enhanced K-12 students’ science conceptual understanding. Zacharia et al. (2016) found that students using mobile devices had higher gains in a science conceptual test (on flowers and their parts) than did the students who learned the content using traditional methods. Song et al. (2012) showed that mobile technology assists learning, and it can help students personalize learning on different topics, such as the life cycles of the butterfly. Mobile apps can cover a wide range of scientific topics and allow students to explore concepts, conduct virtual experiments, and deepen their understanding of scientific principles. Examples include apps for chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, and environmental science.

iNaturalist

iNaturalist (iNaturalist Network, n.d.) is a citizen science app that encourages students to engage in real-world observation and data collection. Students can record their observations of plants, animals, and other organisms, contribute to scientific research, and learn about biodiversity.

In Language

Mobile devices have revolutionized language learning in the classroom by providing students with powerful tools and resources at their fingertips. Teachers can empower the learning process by helping students access a wide range of multimedia content in the target language, including videos, podcasts, songs, and news articles. Students can use online translation dictionaries, which provide audio pronunciations along with images to support vocabulary acquisition and audio textbooks. On the other hand, teachers can use gamification and interactive features in language classes, as most language learning apps incorporate game-like elements such as badges, rewards, and progress tracking, making the learning process more engaging and motivating for students (Career, 2023) Teachers can also design and customize interactive quizzes, puzzles, or collaborative activities related to the curriculum goals using mobile devices.

Quizlet

Quizlet (Quizlet Inc., 2023) is a versatile app that allows teachers and students to create flashcards and quizzes for language learning. It covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. It also offers multiplayer games for competitive language learning.

In Mathematics

In order for students to build on their mathematical skills, they need to master the fundamental mathematical principles. Mobile devices can greatly enhance meaningful mathematical activities in the classroom by providing students with interactive tools, visualizations, and access to a vast array of mathematical resources. Students can practice knowledge in fun interactive games. Numeracy applications allow students at the elementary level to practice and learn a wide range of math topics, including number sense, addition, and subtraction in an interesting gaming interface. These games offer opportunities to develop higher-order thinking skills. It pushes the user to reason with numerical magnitude, which is one of the key learning competencies in elementary mathematics (Siegler & Lortie-Forgues, 2014).

Mathletics

Mathletics (3P Learning, n.d.) is an interactive math program that covers various mathematical topics. It offers animated tutorials, practice activities, and online competitions to motivate and challenge students. The app tracks students’ progress and provides detailed reports for teachers and parents.

Conclusions and Future Recommendations

Mobile device utilization will become a must in a modern educational environment. The use of mobile technologies will place students from different age groups into more student-centered and self-directed learning instead of a traditional teacher-centered environment. Whether using mobile devices in the classroom is positive or negative, the move towards integrating technology in the classroom will keep growing and developing.

Using mobile technology in the classroom has both advantages and disadvantages. Yet, it is important to limit the negative effects that are still in our reach. UNICEF (2017, p. 122) advises technology users to “harness the good” and “limit the harm.” Wilkins (2014) recommends that teachers should ensure learners interact with each other, even when immersed in their digital world. Teachers should create activities that promote communication and collaboration, such as blog posts and classroom projects. In addition, teachers must consider the varying levels of access and familiarity with technology among students when incorporating mobile devices into the curriculum. Instructional materials and activities should be designed to accommodate students with limited access, ensuring that they can participate fully in the learning experience.

On the other hand, Laurillard (2002) argues that technology-based devices would not be effective unless their use is accompanied by appropriate pedagogical approaches. In order to make the best outcomes, teachers should be well-trained in how to adapt and use mobile devices to enhance learning in the classroom. The ability to use technology is considered one of the most important skills of the 21st century. For these reasons, students and teachers need to develop digital literacy skills that enable them to effectively navigate and utilize mobile devices for learning purposes. Schools should provide training programs that teach students how to use technology responsibly, understand data privacy, and make the most of available resources. The use of mobile devices in classrooms for K-12 students will need a lot of effort in order to integrate mobile technology into a successful learning process.

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