An exploration of the role of smartphones: mobile technology expanding the learning environment outside of the classroom

Abstract

Smartphones effectively expand the learning environment outside of the traditional classroom. Secondary school students enrolled in grade 10 and grade 11 communication technology courses were recruited to participate in a treatment and research project that utilized smartphones. Their opinions of these devices were polled both before and after the treatment’s activity. The treatment required the students to use their smartphones outside of the classroom to access the expectations of a broadcasting assignment; conduct secondary research and use their smartphone’s built-in video camera to record a news report segment while remaining in contact with their educator through their device. Once the students returned to the classroom, they uploaded their assignment video to a secure hard drive. Prior to the activity students viewed the smartphone as primarily a social and entertainment device. However, upon completion of this treatment, participants viewed the smartphone as a valid learning tool outside the classroom. This finding supported the literature that examined the perceived values of the smartphones. This result was consistent with the literature that examined the perceived values of smartphones as a learning tool by students.