Cell phones can serve as a tool for quick reference in the classroom.

  

Cell phones can be a powerful participation tool in the classroom.

  

Lastly, cell phones can help students stay organized and on top of tasks, homework, projects, and deadlines.

  

Wherever you stand on the cell phone in the classroom debate, there’s no denying that each year mobile devices are becoming more and more integrated into every facet of our daily lives and that teachers will continue to integrate them, in one minor form or another, into their lesson plans and teaching styles.

The voice recording feature of cell phones can be beneficial to students who would like a quick way to keep track of what they need to do. 
use a cell phone to "jot down" important information

Classroom Collaboration

For example, the website platform Poll Everywhere permits teachers to create poll questions to which students can respond via their cell phones. Students can also use cell phones to collaborate with each other and also to connect with children in other schools or geographic areas. They can also connect students to specialists in specific subjects for assistance or advice.

A great app for keeping students on top of their work is Remind101, where students voluntarily sign up to receive a text reminder when they have an upcoming assignment due. Not only does it help students better organize their assignments, but it’s also engaging parents. Halla says many parents sign up for the app to keep track of their children’s homework.
Forget something? Whether it is their lunch, soccer gear or homework assignment, we all know that kids will be kids and that forgetfulness is a part of human nature. Allowing kids to have a cell phone at school will make contacting parents much easier with a quick call or text during a break rather than having to get permission to go to the office to make a call that could take much longer if there is already a line waiting.

Most working people benefit from having their cell phones on them. They can access their email, call clients, check inventory, read the news, use software applications, and more. Students need to learn how to use their cell phones responsibly (see next tip!).

 

Phones and tablets should be used responsibly and for educational purposes. Students could do research for English papers, or download an app that provides extra information on one of the chemical elements in the periodic table. When necessary, teachers could combat cheating by making students put their phones on “airplane mode” or any mode that will not allow them to send/receive any messages or use the Internet. Whenever there is a test, teachers can make students put their mobile devices in the front of the classroom until the test is over.

Many phone apps offer visual representations of difficult-to-grasp subjects that can assist visual learners and/or students who have dyslexia. Tablets offer the same services, but may provide a better user experience because of the size difference.

 

58 percent of respondents use their phones to take pictures of lecture slides(2017)

41 percent use them to Google answers to in-class questions (2017)

39 percent use them to access a digital textbook (2017)