Handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets are becoming more commonplace in schools and it would behoove teachers and librarians to find ways to use them within their lessons. By using a handheld device, students are able to have one-to-one ratio of technology, as most libraries or classrooms do not have enough computers for every student. Students are able to access information immediately in the classroom setting, and it is portable, which means that groups can separate and not influence each others answers when working on group assignments.
Students in a North Carolina school were given smartphones to use the Project K-Nect curriculum that specialized in math curriculum; their End of Course exam test scores were 10% higher than the state average and they reported increased communication with teachers through the apps.
Teachers are able to connect learning to students' home gaming system and create hooks to interest students in their lessons. By having students use their own devices, it's cheaper for the district and there is less of a learning curve, as students are familiar with these devices.
There are apps for both students and educators -- librarians are able to check out books in the stacks through smartphone apps that access the circulation system. Teacher-librarians can also utilize the same strategies and techniques that teachers use in the classroom, which will help solidify the knowledge for the students and will help them to take these educational apps and resources beyond the school walls.
Reference
Allen, R. (2011). Can Mobile Devices Transform Education?. Education Update, 53(2). Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/feb11/vol53/num02/Can-Mobile-Devices-Transform-Education%C2%A2.aspx
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