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Alina Pres
Professor McGriff
ENC1102
8/03/16
Should Smartphones be used in Classrooms?
New technology is advancing every day for the better. High tech gadgets are now a part
of everyday life. Today, young teenagers are actively on these devices, especially smartphones.
Smartphones are phones that are more advance than just a regular phone. They have more
functions similar to a computer. These devices are taking over the world. Smartphones are well
known internationally. Anywhere in the world, it is common to know that other countries will
have smartphones. It is used for many purposes, such as the basic texting and calling it is
generically built for, however, time has changed, and smartphones are better than ever. With the
ability of having a smartphone, anyone can surf the internet for anything. An individual can look
up words through an online dictionary. Currently, most public schools have provided laptops
such as MacBooks for the students to use. There may be downfalls to having a smartphone,
however as they progress more in the future, students should be able to use them in classrooms
because of its ability for communication, educational purposes, and for social media.
Ever since the creations of cellular devices have been popular, so has the idea of texting.
Texting is the number one communication system teenagers use to communicate with another.
The teachers and the school board usually look down upon texting in classrooms. An article
titled Classroom texting in college students, by Terry F. Pettijohn, Erik Frazier, Elizabeth
Rieser and more explains how texting in class can result in poor grades on a test or a quiz. This

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article describes students who were allowed to text during a lecture, not knowing that they would
be tested on it afterwards. Pettijohn concludes, When they texted, students scored about 30%
lower on a quiz over the material (Pettijohn, Frazier, Rieser., et al.). This proves that most of the
students did not pay attention and that if they did; their notes are not the best. Not only this, the
article states how a phone ringing during a lecture can be distracting. On the actual test day,
students will score low on the test because of their poor written notes. In addition, the article
further explains how the majority of students are not bothered by someone texting in class over
the few who are bothered by someone texting in class. Pettijohn refers to Campbell who
conducts an investigation to see who favors cellphones in classroom and the result was that most
do not favor the idea of having cellphones in class because they are a distraction. The research
shows End, Worthman, Mathews, and Wetterau (2010) explored the effect of a ringing phone on
the ability of students to take notes and remember information. They found that students took
poorer notes and scored lower on a quiz when exposed to a cell phone ringing twice during the
presentation (Pettijohn, Frazier, Rieser., et al.). This article relates to my argument because it
provides a great example on how smartphones will not benefit classrooms. The idea of having
smartphones in a classroom can be too much of a distraction for students. It is proven that a
phone ringing in a class can shift an individuals focus from the lecture. Another article that
backs this information up would be Effect of mobile phone use on reading habits of private
secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria written by Fadekemi Oyewusi and Alirat
Olawumi Ayanlola. This article talks about how mobile phones are expanding education
programs in Oyo State, Nigeria. Using smartphones in secondary schools are changing the way
education is brought up. Furthermore, the article mentions how smartphones ringing can be
disruptive. In addition, the time a student spends on texting can carry over to their academic

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papers. Papers received by the students show poor grammar skills and slang. In addition,
students who are permitted to having a smartphone during class time can result in some trouble.
For example, Cheating, sexting and cyberbullying are other possible disadvantages that come
from mobile phone usage among children (Oyewusi., et al.). If a student does these things, then
it may result in them being removed out of a class or worse, being expelled. This is another
reason why teachers may not be on board for students to use their smartphone in the classroom.
However, there are some benefits when allowing students to use their smartphone in class.
The benefits of using smartphones in class outweigh the cons. An important reason for
students to use their smartphone is because of emergencies. For example, some students may
have responsibilities with siblings or even job related emergencies. If students were to use this
and not take advantage of this, then it would be beneficial for them. Furthermore, cell phones
have the ability to access internet, which can be used to look up words. Not only this, text
messaging is proven to increase a students writing or reading skill. The article "Cell phones in
the classroom: preservice teachers' perceptions" by Kevin Thomas and Blanche OBannon
describes Texting can be used to send reminders home, communicate with students and parents,
and serve as a student response system (Thomas and OBannon). So technically speaking,
having students text in class in an appropriate manner for emergencies can be beneficial to them.
Another article titled "Turn teen texting toward better writing," is informing readers that teachers
are now trying to incorporate social media into classrooms. For example, teachers can create
blogs, and podcasts in the classroom. With that being said, students are finding this a great idea
because they can interact online instantly receiving messages from their instructors or teachers
(Reich). This source is helpful to my argument because it is for texting rather than against
texting. Teachers can take in consideration that the way students text can be a positive thing

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because they could use their social media to respond in the classroom. Another article that ties in
with this one is Incorporating Social Media in the Classroom.
Another form of communication teens would use is the social media apps available today
such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Social media is a website or application for online
users to use and connect with others on the internet. Many people around the world can come
together on one platform and interact with one another to share their opinions or ideas. For
example, Twitter is an online social network site where individuals can tweet their opinions.
Another example is Instagram, an online social network as well, but it is mainly used for posting
photos and videos. Lastly, another popular social media network is FaceBook. FaceBook is
where anyone can find local people they know or even organizations to follow for news and
updates. All these social media networks have become a big influence today for young adults.
This article talks about the idea of having schools incorporating Facebook in classrooms. This
article titled Sask. schools grapple with Facebook, had some good points to bringing the
Facebook world in to daily studying, however, it can also be one step into the wrong direction.
Overall, the article talks about how social media can be taken in the right direction if used
appropriately. A quote to support this is But around the province, some parents and
administrators aren't thrilled with the Facebook invasion. They're well aware of Facebook's
pitfalls, stories of online bullying, inappropriate pictures or privacy invasion ("Sask. schools
grapple with Facebook."). This source is helpful for the question are smartphones beneficial in
the classrooms? This article shows that it is not beneficial, however it can be if students use it
appropriately. This article ties in with another article who believes Facebook is a great idea. That
article is "Facebook in the Classroom. Seriously? [opinion]." The main argument of this article is
that using social media in the classroom has its pros. For example, Facebook is used globally.

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This can be used for interaction in the classroom and being in contact with parents. Another
example is how a student uses Facebook to put up homework assignments for his Spanish class.
This is a great reminder for everyone. This article has a positive outlook on allowing social
media to be part of a classroom. Another article that ties in with this article is Sask. schools
grapple with Facebook. This article corresponds with this point of view, yet also talking about
the cons of social media. One quote specifically states Most of the parents are on Facebook so
it's a convenient way to communicate with them, and they can send private messages as well.
Most of the parents are busy on the go people who use their Blackberries and Facebook, Twitter
etc to communicate. It's convenient for all. Plus, it provides a digital record (The Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation).
The main argument of this article titled Incorporating social media in the classroom
is that social media has become a daily routine to people nowadays. Social media is specifically
targeting young adults. Having the ability to allow social media in a classroom can be a good
thing. For example, students will have access to Twitter or Facebook pages. These pages can help
notify the students when assignments are due or any upcoming announcements. Not only this,
YouTube is a great source to help teachers because YouTube provides educational videos to help
students. April McMeans mentions Social media promotes collaboration, creativity, and
classroom discussion amongst students. This statement shows that social media provides more
than whats stated in the name itself. McMeans also mentions It is safe to say that social media
helps to activate prior knowledge as well as spark an interest within the students. In other
words, young adults are more attracted social media (McMeans). The teens are the ones who are
always on some type of social media, therefore, they are more interested if they have social
media in the classroom. This article was helpful for the argument Are smartphones beneficial in

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classrooms? This article has a positive outlook on social media being used in classrooms. The
article provides a list of sources it used to make the article. It gave many examples on how this is
a great thing to incorporate in classrooms. Another article that relates to this is 7 Ways to spark
innovation and collaboration in your school. This article talks about the many ways to make
classroom learning exciting. The article specifically names these apps: Twitter, Instagram, Voxer,
Google+, Skype. Google hangout is one way to connect socially with the classroom. In addition,
Edmodo is a great tool to build a learning space. This article contributes to the argument Are
smartphones beneficial in the classrooms? The article has evidence such as giving a list of apps
proven to be great use for studies. Teachers and students can use these apps to interact with each
other. Creating a page on Twitter can be a great friendly reminder to stay up to date with the
classroom. This article ties in with the one previously mentioned Incorporating social media in
the classroom.
In contrast, this article titled 5 Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom for
Educational Use," gives pros and cons of social media usage in classrooms. The article states
five reasons why social media may not be such a great idea in a class. One reason is that it can be
distracting in class. Another reason is that it can be improper because there are some students
who will take advantage of this. In addition, social media can be looked as no human interaction.
Furthermore, cyberbullying can take place online. Lastly, students could post something
inappropriate that would cause a disruption in class, and may take this privilege away.
This source is helpful to my argument because it provides both sides of whether or not
smartphones are beneficial in the classrooms. This article corresponds with the article Pros and
Cons of Social Media in the Classroom. This article lists out its pros and cons as well.

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Allowing smartphones in classroom could expand education. This article titled

Smartphones as Tools for Education - ECycle Best, talks about how smartphones are great
tools for education. The article further describes how there are so many benefits to using a
smartphone in class or even at home. There are great smartphone apps for students and teachers.
For example, the article lists many apps as a guide to learning. This article is helpful to the
argument Should smartphones be used in classrooms, because it contains research and facts to
support its point. Another article that ties in with this article is the article titled "Learning in the
digital age: better apps are coming" written by Marie Bjerede. This article talks about how
educational apps are becoming better.
The article stated above talks about how educational apps are preferred over textbooks
when learning. There are plenty of apps to choose form in the IOS store. One of the downfalls of
apps is that it may not captivate students like the gaming apps already available. However, app
creators know this and are developing more fun interactive education apps for students. Bjerde
states My son would rather work with an app than a book or flash cards to learn his SAT
vocabulary words. My daughter would rather use an app than worksheets for practicing the
multiplication tables (Bjerde). This source was helpful in my argument because it is more on the
positive side of wanting educational apps in the classroom. It stated that app creators will be
making more interactive apps for students to use in the future. Another article that ties in with
this is Teaching Kids the Language of the Future by Natasha Bita.
Furthermore, Bita explains how smartphones are changing the way students are learning
in a classroom. The author mentions how laptops and computers are such a hassle to have. With
smartphones, it is easily convenient to access emails and even apps relating to school on the go.
In addition, students are able to use their smartphones for educational purposes in the classroom

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with permission from their teacher. The author explains in further detail on how smartphones are
portable and everyone seems to have them whether you are rich or poor. Soloway predicts that
the data plan for smartphones will eventually drop from five to ten dollars. Mobile technology is
beneficial to everyone in the world.
The article is significant to the use of smartphones being beneficial to childrens
education. This article gave great viewpoints on how smartphones are user friendly. Another
article that relates to the use of smartphones is "Multitasking with Smartphones in the College
Classroom" written by Grinols, A. B., and R. Rajesh. This article describes how smartphones
may be distracting in class, but can be taken in a different approach. An instructor can
incorporate smartphones to the learning environment. Overall, smartphones are beneficial in the
field of education when used correctly.
This article titled Teaching kids the language of the future tells a negative side of
educational apps. Educational apps are pre made and only focuses on practicing. The article
mentions how students should be more of creators than just being a consumer. Students should
be opened to the idea of creating more (Bita). The job field need students to learn new things.
Kate Highfield, a lecturer at Macquarie University's Institute of Early Childhood, advises
parents to avoid apps and games that rely on "pre-made content", including educational apps that
promote drill and practice. This source was helpful to the argument Should Smartphones be
used in Classrooms? because it provides a different viewpoint from the article Learning in the
digital age: better apps are coming." This article talks about it should not just be the educational
apps students are learning from. It should be more hands on and realistic.
Overall, there is no doubt that smartphones are replacing textbooks, and even computers.
They are convenient and not a hassle to have in a classroom. The cons that were listed to having

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a smartphone will not stop people from having them. Teachers in classrooms and students will
benefit from the use of their smartphones for educational purposes. Not only are they great for
students, it helps create communication, serves for academic reasons, and for social media.

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Work Cited
Brown, Patricia. "7 Ways to spark innovation and collaboration in your school." Technology &
Learning Apr. 2016: 16. Academic OneFile. Web. 18 July 2016.
Bjerede, Marie. "Learning in the digital age: better apps are coming." Education Next 14.4
(2014): 86+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 July 2016.
McMeans, April. "Incorporating social media in the classroom." Education 135.3 (2015): 289+.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 July 2016.
Oyewusi, Fadekemi, and Alirat Olawumi Ayanlola. "Effect of mobile phone use on reading
habits of private secondary school students in Oyo State, Nigeria." School Libraries
Worldwide 20.1 (2014): 116+. Academic OneFile. Web. 13 July 2016.
Pettijohn, Terry F., et al. "Classroom texting in college students." College Student Journal 49.4
(2015): 513+. Academic OneFile. Web. 13 July 2016.
"Sask. schools grapple with Facebook." The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2 Sept. 2010.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 21 July 2016.
Soloway, Elliot. "Smartphones Will Benefit Classroom Learning." Smartphones. Ed. Roman
Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Will Smart
Phones Eliminate the Digital Divide?" THE Journal (1 Feb. 2011). Opposing Viewpoints
in Context. Web. 13 July 2016.
Thomas, Kevin, and Blanche OBannon. "Cell phones in the classroom: preservice teachers'
perceptions." Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education 30.1 (2013): 11+.
Academic OneFile. Web. 17 July 2016.

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"Smartphones as Tools for Education - ECycle Best." Smartphones as Tools for Education ECycle Best. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2016.
"5 Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom for Educational Use." School Is Easy
Tutoring. N.p., 2014. Web. 21 July 2016.