Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market Research report found that 28 percent of class time for math-based courses is spent using digital tools or interacting with digital content. The report goes on to outline a strong shift towards digital teaching methods for math since 2009. While students’ positive response is one of the reasons mobile technology is rapidly gaining speed, EMR’s report says that educator enjoyment of the technology is also a contributing factor to its snowballing implementation.
The conversation about the benefits of mobile technology for students is constant but should there also be a discussion about educator preference? It seems the debate is always student-centric but for these students to excel, teachers need to thrive too. This means administrative plans beyond simply purchasing mobile devices, or implementing bring-your-device policies, that include teacher empowerment of the technology.
Mobile technology has potential to change the student-teacher dynamic for the better but only if implemented correctly. Here are a few ways I think all teachers can benefit from smart mobile technology use:
Higher engagement levels. At least at the outset, use of mobile technology in K-12 classrooms will mean more students are interested in the class material. It remains to be seen what will happen once the novelty effect wears off, but perhaps by then mobile learning will be even more advanced than it is today, capturing students’ attention in new ways. Part of the interest in mobile learning from students’ perspectives is the flashy, fun element but the bigger attraction is empowerment. Lessons leave the blackboard and take place at the desk, giving students more control over it. Higher engagement from K-12 students who use mobile technology is a direct result of a feeling of ownership on the part of the student, whether perceived or not.
Convenient progress tracking. Mobile education applications keep electronic records of where students succeed and where they need more help. This provides a great service to teachers who lack the time and resources to create customized learning plans based on student work profiles (though there are certainly some teachers who do put in this time, painstakingly). When students learn through mobile technology, teachers benefit from the convenient reporting. There is no guesswork on what skills need sharpening, particularly in areas like math. If an entire class population is struggling with a skill, the technology reporting signals to the teacher that the topic needs to be revisited. On the flip side, excess time is not spent on topic areas that are already learned.
Less paperwork. Mobile learning gives copy machines a break and amounts to less paperwork for teachers. Instead of students waiting for an in-class assignment to be graded and then redone, mobile applications allow immediate opportunities to try again. This is a practical perk of mobile learning but one that makes the teaching AND learning process less cumbersome. In addition to less loose papers, mobile technology limits the amount of textbooks and other hard class materials that need to be carried around and stored in classrooms.
Anything that makes educators’ jobs a little easier, without sacrificing student achievement, benefits K-12 learning as a whole. The discussion of mobile technology in classrooms as it relates to students is vital but the teaching aspect matters a lot too. Schools need to provide resources for teachers to feel comfortable teaching though in mobile technology formats. This needs to happen in order for educators to really notice the positive impact it makes on their jobs.
In what ways will mobile technology positively change the teaching profession?
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market R… […]
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market R… […]
I’m excited to hear that mobile technology is making its way into the classroom. I have twin boys that can not sit still unless they have a tablet in front of them. My fear for them when they hit school has just dropped dramatically. For some kids, technology has to be part of their education.
[…] Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction | The Edvocate […]
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market R… […]
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market R… […]
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market R… […]
As a teacher who abandoned the traditional gradebook 7 or 8 years ago and only use the district’s online gradebook, I agree that mobile technology will definitely make less paperwork for the teacher and the student. Most of the traditional paperwork will continue to progress to being online work instead. . . that includes grading student papers.
Educators need to keep up with technology that students are using outside of the classroom.
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tnx for info!!
Technology has so much potential to change the classroom environment and teacher should embrace it. It shouldn’t be feared — it should be used for good!
I love technology integration in our schools. All kids learn differently, so it’s a good thing for the diverse student population. I also like that it cuts down on using paper and makes things a little simpler for our overworked teachers, too.
Great article.
[…] As mobile technology continues to steal the spotlight in K-12 classroom methodology, certain areas of study tend to be gravitating towards the trends more strongly. Last week an Education Market Resea… […]
I think technology has a very important part in education but do you think that as teachers we are responsible for a student’s general well-being? Can we afford to not think about the negative aspects of technology? I think we still need to have a balance of technology and “pen and paper” work.
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I disagree. The world is going digital and we must take advantage of how technology can improve education. Also, we must prepare students for the demands of a digital world. I am a retired K-12 educator and foresaw the impact of technology on K-12 education in the early 1980s. The business world was quick to recognize the advantages. Sadly, K-12 education remains far behind.
The success of mobile technology is at its highest due to the world of opportunities offered by the internet and embracing of high-tech smaller gadgets that can be able to offer various functionalities with an ability to switch between many processes. mobile technology is essential in making learning more effective and provides a good record of student assessments and improvement plans.
I appreciate your professional approach on the topic.
Well stated, Rebecca! I hope you are a teacher as we need more like you…
Mobile technology improves teacher-student communication. It has also opened a new opportunity for students who could also want to diversify their skills and learn other disciplines. Subscription is done to the website the student is interested at a small fee and sometimes free of charge.
I fully support your argument on technology and how it has enhanced instructions in our learning institutions.
[…] This post was originally published by Matthew Lynch and the original version can be found here – https://www.thetechedvocate.org/why-mobile-technology-enhances-instruction/ […]
[…] pick something with which people are familiar. For instance, everyone can relate to a topic about technology. After choosing your topic, filter it down to one central idea or thesis. You have to state your […]