Student Impressions of Academic Cell Phone Use in the Classroom

Abstract

Cell phones have become ubiquitous in society, but they are typically seen as a problem in the classroom. This study was designed to assess the perspective of students regarding the use of cell phones as academic tools in the classroom. I encouraged students to use their cell phones in an environmental issues course to find data and other information, which they then shared with the class. At the end of the semester, students voluntarily completed a survey detailing their perspectives. Students felt that cell phones helped their learning, encouraged their enjoyment of the class, improved their success in the course, marginally increased their attendance, and were not an important distraction. Cell phones can be seen as a tool for learning and explored as a means to help students access and take ownership of knowledge.