News Report #3

Industry Makes Pitch that Smartphones Belong in the Classroom
by Matt Richtel and Brad Stone
February 15, 2009
www.nytimes.com

This article basically discusses the relatively new belief by many that new smartphones have a place in the classroom in order to help students achieve better grades. The main argument for this idea is the fact that smartphones are much like laptops in many aspects, except for being smaller, cheaper, and more coveted by students. Findings from studies done in North Carolina are to be released soon, with results showing that students with smartphones in the classroom performed twenty-five percent better on an end of the year algebra exam than did their peers who did not have the accessibility of a smartphone. This is not the first attempt to integrate cell phones into the class room. Last year, 2,500 New York public school students received a free Samsung flip phone, and could get prepaid minutes for things such as good behavior and good test scores. In addition, teachers could text their students reminders about deadlines. However, the project was ended because of lack of money.

I believe that smartphones in the classroom could be effective up to a point. Although they may be smaller than a laptop, I feel like it is much easier and efficient to use a laptop in the classroom, because of the larger screen, and the ease of typing. However, I do like the idea started by the New York public schools of using smartphones for communication between teachers and students. I feel like communication would be the most effective reason to utilize smartphones into the classroom. However, if there are other ideas and details, I am definitely open to hear them.