Ryan+Alcamo

Are Mobile Technologies the Future of Education?  Ryan Alcamo Missouri Baptist University EDET 553 SU13

 Students have and will always have a diverse set of needs that educators need to address in their approach to differentiated instruction. We have been taught that students fall into neatly organized categories of learning styles, and we can differentiate instruction and even simply just group them according to which learning style they fall into. In the real world though this is completely impractical and even detrimental to student learning, so we instead look for applicable approaches to engaging students instead. In an increasingly connected, technology based world, mobile technologies should not only be considered a viable and acceptable teaching tool for student use, but makes students even more prepared for the real world after their K-12 education.  As of a study published in March 2013 study “78% of teens now have a cell phone, and almost half (74%) of those own smartphones. That translates into 37% of all teens who have smartphones, up from just 23% in 2011...about three in four (74%) of teens ages 12-17 say they access the internet on cell phones, tablets, and other mobile devices at least occasionally”(Teens and Technology, 2013). These statistics force us to see that a large chunk of our students not only have access to mobile technology, but actively use it for personal reasons as well. These numbers demand our realization that students are comfortable with mobile devices and are clearly engaged with the use as well, a fact we could incorporate into practical instruction. Mobile technology allows students a variety of practical tools that can build their learning (such as professional learning networks through use of Facebook or Twitter). Some opponents to the use point out improper student use or lack of access for some students. To address this, many school districts are actively investing in effective mobile technology, in some cases a device for each student, so 100% is possible. In foreseeing the coming mobile device use in schools, many districts are also clearly outlining acceptable use for the technology as well as classrooms that have clear expectations and consequences.  By teaching students how to effectively and professionally use mobile technology now, students can use devices not just for personal use, but learn to create professional learning networks and research that can carry over into the real world work they will do post-graduation.

Cortesi, S., Duggan, M., Gasser, U., Lenhart, A., & Madden, M. (2013). Teens and Technology 2013. [] -Findings.aspx. Brown, D., Maltese, R. (2012). Point/Counterpoint: Should We Let Students Opt Out of Face-to-Face Education?. http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/issues/december-january-2011/point-counterpoint-should-we-let-students-opt-out-of-face-to-face-education-
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Ryan Alcamo is currently a 4th grade teacher in the Wentzville School District. He has previously taught technology classes for an entire elementary school and was also an ELL educator. His goal is to stay current with developing technology trends that can enhance student learning in and out of the classroom.
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