In recent years, smartphones have become a crucial element of our lives. Today, a mobile phone is much more than just a mode of communication. Folks in different industries around the globe are taking advantage of smartphone devices. A smartphone is an amazing device that is popular due to its portability. We can take it anywhere. Notably, until a person has a cellular data connection in his smartphone, he has a computer. The use of smartphones by students is a debatable topic.
Though, there are concerns over the inappropriate use of smartphones in the classroom, whether online or physical. But, this is also true that smartphones have a critical role in learning for the students. These devices offer access to content and a myriad of learning resources. With a smartphone in hand, a student can access the notes or educational support on the go. Here, we will discuss 12 ways students can use their smartphones for learning purposes. Students can exploit a smartphone for their top-notch preparation for their board exams, NEET-UG 2022, JEE Main 2022, CUCET, NTA 2022, KVPY exam, etc.
A section of teachers worries about the distraction of students from their studies by using smartphones. The other section of teachers believes in encouraging the students to use them due to productive learning. Smartphones can be distracting if not used the right way. But they can be an excellent learning tool when properly used. After all, the benefits of using smartphone devices or tablets in the educational experience are obvious.
The students, specifically those between the ages of 12 to 18 years, use smartphones daily. As this device is so common today, every student should exploit its benefits.
| Fact to Consider:
In a survey conducted, around 95% of teenagers were having smartphone devices. Most students were having personal smartphones of their choice. |
Smartphones have several benefits for learning. The latest smartphones help the students search for study material on the internet which is productive for their studies. Also, students can even use it to capture important photos and lectures.
Let us discuss the 12 ways students can use their smartphones for learning.
12 Ways For How Students Can Use Their Smartphone For Learning
- Taking Notes
Students can note important things like exam dates, Syllabus, or important topics on their smartphones. Various apps can help you stay organized and conveniently keep your notes. Students can also store their essential files on their smartphone devices in apps like Google drive. So, they can access those files & notes anytime and anywhere at their convenience.
- Connecting with Learning Management System
A student can use their school’s learning management system (LMS) with a smartphone. On the LMS platform, the school authority takes online classes. Also, they put notices & circulars and convey important information like assignments, grades, etc., to the students. By being connected with the LMS, the students can stay informed.
- Watching and recording videos of lectures
Students can use their smartphones to watch interactive lectures for practical learning. Numerous learning videos for every concept of a subject are available online on apps and websites. Students can watch them and learn concepts anytime, anywhere.
Besides, students can also record the video of an important lecture or discussion in their class. Video clips of explanations to confusing concepts help reference later while doing self-studies. However, make sure to ask permission from the teacher before doing such a thing.
- Record audio of explanations
Sometimes students find it difficult to pay full attention to the teacher or keep track of their notes during class. In such a case, the audio recording functionality of a smartphone helps. Students can record the lecture while the teacher is explaining an important topic. He can later listen to it with full attention and make notes if required.
- Accessing a library of facts & content
Students today do not have to wait to access their school library. With a smartphone, they have access to the biggest global library, i.e., the internet with them. They can take it helps for all of their assignments, exams, homework, doubts, literally everything. They can head towards any suitable app or website to find the essential information they are seeking for their studies.
- Contacting the teacher
Whether a student has any doubt in a chapter, any question, on an assignment, or has a problem attending the class, there are various points where students need to contact their teacher at the earliest. One of the main uses of a smartphone is to communicate. As per your teacher’s preference, you can email, text, or call them when you require their assistance.
- Listening to news & podcasts
Nowadays, podcasts are highly popular. It is useful for sharing information, ideas, and stories with others. Students who find it convenient to listen can learn from podcasts. There are podcasts available for any topic, from science & technology to business management. Students can listen & learn from them.
Also, listening to the news is significant to students. It keeps them up-to-date and enhances their general awareness. Students can listen to the daily news on their smartphones effortlessly.
- Reading E-books
Smartphones are also useful for students because they help them use various reading apps. Notably, students can install e-books. When students can have their books electronically, they can easily take them wherever they go. They can read beforehand to get ahead on their reading for class or just read a general knowledge. From fun facts to NCERT course books, everything is available online. Also, students can access NTSE books & KVPY books on their smartphones.
- Online Tests & Assessments
Students can leverage the benefits of a smartphone for effective learning by accessing online study resources. While preparing for a test or exam of any subject, students can access various quizzes and mock tests available online. There are free mock tests available online for different exams, from board exams to JEE & NEET. Students can access various web portals & apps.
Students can access NEET Mock Test 2022, JEE Main Mock Test 2022, KVPY mock test, etc.
- Collaboration Usage
Remarkably, smartphones embrace incredible features to increase collaboration between students, teachers & other students. Also, it provides access to numerous apps for the students to stay in touch with their class-fellows. The students discuss their questions and issues, plan for group studies, and ask for study resources.
For example, the students can use their cell phones to stay associated with the Learning Management System (LMS) app that their school uses. It offers access to their online learning resources and other important updates.
- Managing Time
Frankly, gadgets cannot manage time for the students. However, the students themselves can manage their time with the help of such gadgets. When the students set deadlines on their smartphones, they will do the right thing at the correct time. Students can set alarms for the deadlines.
For example, the students can effortlessly set the alarm on their smartphones to wake up early in the morning. These are little yet significant ways to aid in efficient learning.
- Keeping an eye on the calendar
No doubt, a sturdy paper calendar embraces its benefits. But keeping track of the calendar on the smartphone enables the students to always be aware of their tests, exams, assignment submission, appointments, and more. If a student knows what is coming up ahead, he can prepare well for it so that he does not lag.
Also, in the smartphone calendar or the Google calendar, students can set reminders for themselves to make sure they do not miss anything. For example, they can set reminders a few days before the exam for exam dates, including NEET 2022 Exam Dates, JEE Main 2022 Exam Dates, or KVPY exam date 2022.
Conclusion
Today, students have the world at their fingertips with a smartphone. This fact can be wonderful and somewhat frightening. However, a smartphone is a necessity in the present era in which we are living. All students should have to make productive use of their smartphone devices. With a smartphone in hand, students can easily access conceptual explanations by experts, do research for projects, connect with their school LMS and more with the help of internet connectivity. Lately, WiFi connectivity has become efficient and prevalent in offices, schools, and homes. Parents & teachers should teach the correct and gainful way of using smartphones to the student. The students should use smartphones for educational purposes and ban their unproductive uses.
FAQs
1. What is mobile learning?
Mobile learning is an advanced model of learning. It enables an individual (specifically students) to access learning resources through a smartphone with an internet connection. Students can learn through mobile anytime and anywhere. Hence, mobile technology, especially smartphones, attracts learners to exploit interactive learning resources. Notably, smartphones have various applications that prove helpful in the educational or learning process. Such applications include typical software like MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, & PowerPoint), web-based apps for learning language, vocabulary, solving mathematical problems, general knowledge, and other resources.
2. Is a Mobile phone a distraction? Does it negatively affect the studies of a student?
The use of mobile phones for learning or in academic studies is a debatable matter. Though smartphones are becoming a need for comprehensive studies today, many teachers consider smartphones a medium of distraction for students. It has a critical relation with the psychological well-being of an individual. Usage of smartphones beyond the limits influences the cognitive ability of the students. It should be used appropriately to increase the effectiveness of learning. Besides, wasteful usage like unrestricted gaming & chatting will not offer any benefit. Instead, it will affect the students negatively.
3. How to use a smartphone for learning without distractions?
When used in a disciplined manner, the smartphone helps to study productively. While using smartphones for learning, students should avoid distractions. A simple way to avoid distractions is to turn off the notifications for unimportant apps, especially chatting or social media apps. Secondly, students should keep such apps on the home screen that they want themselves to use, like reading or language learning apps. They should remove any other destructive app from the front screen. Also, if possible, students could even delete certain apps. Thirdly, students should limit the usage of web browsers to search for study-related or other important things.
4. How can students access their NCERT textbook solutions from my smartphone?
In higher education, learning from smartphones has become the latest trend. A student may not require a personal computer to access learning materials online. With smartphones in hand, students can effortlessly access educational materials anytime at their convenience. The students can access our exclusive NCERT solutions with their smartphones. Also, students can read the solutions of popular reference books, such as RD Sharma Solutions, with their smartphones.
5. Can smartphones help a student to gain excellence in their weak subjects?
There are many learning applications in the Android and iOS store for students of all classes in school. There is a learning app available for every subject today. Hence, a student can get assistance from an app for any subject in which he has weak points. Also, some apps are free of charge, and some demand a subscription fee. The students can also take the help of web portals to seek study resources. They can access the important concepts for academic study or material for other exams like JEE 2022, NEET 2022, and olympiad.
6. Is having a mobile phone significant for a student other than for learning purposes?
Yes, having a mobile phone can prove helpful for students. If a student finds himself in an emergency or urgency in his school, at home, or anywhere outside, they can reach their parents, guardian, or acquaintances. Even a student can reach emergency services himself through his mobile phone. So many things are going around today in schools. Parents can stay in touch with their children through a smartphone even when in school or coaching. Other than learning, this is how having a mobile phone is significant for students.
