Smartphones in School

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Education’s IT Partner
6
SMARTPHONES
IN SCHOOL
Rules for
ClassroomSuccess

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“It’s hard to think of any tool, any
instrument, any object in history with
which so many developed so close
a relationship so quickly as we
have with our phones.”
—Nancy Gibbs, Time Magazine

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While many schools view smartphones as disruptive distractions in the classroom, these
devices are here to stay and can be a positive force for learning when used properly.
These six rules will help your school make the most of smartphones:
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Know
your starting
place
Use
phones to
connect
Improve
habits
Use
phones for
engagement
Consider
the big
picture
Publish
a policy
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2
3
4
5
6

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Before you decide how your students can use smartphones in class in the future, it’s important
to know how they’re using them now and what your school culture is in general when it comes to
smartphones. Ask teachers—their opinions and experiences will give you a sense of
your starting point and what the outcomes are likely to be, given current
levels of smartphone proficiency and classroom discipline. Find out
• how students currently use smartphones,
• how frequently classroom instruction is disrupted by technology,
• how comfortable students and teachers are with smartphones
• which apps and features engage and interest students, and
• what level of internet/data access students have at home.
1 Know your starting place
Expect disagreement
between students and
teachers. While 63% of
surveyed students claim that
smartphones are NOT a
distraction, 72% of
instructors disagree.72%
63% STUDENTS
INSTRUCTORS

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One of the strengths of smartphones is their ability to coordinate and communicate schedules,
lists, and classroom materials. Many schools have integrated the following apps with their curricula:
These systems and others like them harness the connective power of the smartphone to increase
student engagement and meet learning objectives.
2 Use phones to connect
CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION APPS
These time-saving organizational
tools allow teachers to share assignments,
grades, feedback, and much more.
NEWS APPS
With news for any reading level, these apps gather
age-appropriate, high-interest articles for students.
REMINDER APPS
Safe, simple communication tools exist to
help teachers reach students and parents
through texts without sharing
phone numbers.
TEST-PREP APPS
Test-prep apps use learning algorithms
to help students prepare for
standardized tests.
GAMIFICATION APPS
These apps give teachers a quick, easy way to create
engaging learning games based on any subject.
LIBRARY APPS
Library apps provide access to tens of
thousands of books—some can recommend
new titles based on reading level and interests.

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3 Improve habits
Smartphones provide instant access to a world
of information. The rapid answers available
through online search are valuable to students:
13% say they use their phones for research
while in class, and 56% say that they would enjoy
using phones as study tools.
If students are reflexively going to their phones for
information, it’s important for them to understand how
to use them effectively. Fast answers aren’t necessarily
accurate answers. To improve their ability to make use
of their smartphones, students must be taught how to
search for and critically evaluate online research.
56%
Study Tools
Research
13%

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Your students are used to documenting their lives digitally. Leverage that habit. Encourage them
to use the high-quality microphones and high-resolution cameras on their smartphones to
create multimedia presentations that demonstrate what they’ve learned. Consider one of these
engaging smartphone assignments:
4 Use phones for engagement
SHORT VIDEOS
PODCAST-STYLE
DISCUSSIONS
PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNTS

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6.4%
The role of smartphones in your school should depend on
your overall IT strategy. While smartphones can be valuable
learning tools, you may determine that your school isn’t
ready to green-light their use in classrooms.
Limited trials of smartphone strategies have led to
interesting results. A UK-based study found that
banning cell phones improved test scores by 6.4%,
while one veteran history teacher has seen
homework completion rates and in-class
engagement improve because his students
use smartphones.
As with any device or program, piloting
smartphones in class is a good idea.
Experimenting with smaller groups will
help you develop clear procedures to keep
students focused on educational uses for
their phones.
5 Consider the big picture

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Once you’ve decided how your school can best use smartphones, it’s time to publish your policy.
Whether your plan permits phones in class or not, spelling out the expectations, rules, and
consequences regarding smartphone use creates consistency and helps all parties understand
your system.
6 Publish a policy
• a description of the purpose of smartphones in the classroom,
• an outline of times and places students are allowed to use cell phones,
• a description of unethical and otherwise impermissible uses, and
• a clear program of actions the school will take if students violate policy.
A GOOD POLICY INCLUDES

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PARTNER WITH LEADERS
As you navigate the new landscape of IT in modern classrooms, it’s helpful to
have a partner with experience. VARtek can be that partner. Since 1989, we have
helped schools improve their technology environments.
VARtek provides managed IT services, staff augmentation, leadership training,
and comprehensive IT audits that help schools like yours achieve their goals.
Learn more by visiting www.vartek.com or call us at 800-954-2524.

Smartphones in School

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