Learning and Leading - December 2012/January 2013

BUYER’Sguide

T oday’s smartphones are smaller and more powerful than ever, offering internet connectivity, GPS, and more. What is affecting education, though, is the increased functionality and the enormous variety of low-cost and free apps available.

Smartphones can be an advantage to students if carefully chosen and used in responsible, curriculum-based ways. Some school districts allow students to bring their own mobile devices to school, while others purchase phones and loan them to students during class.

internet connection after users download them. Resource apps, such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, are among the most useful available for offline use. Some apps offer both an online and offline option.

Wi-Fi vs. Cellular

Smartphones connect to the internet by a cell signal or a local Wi-Fi hotspot. If your school system has a reliable Wi-Fi network, then a cellular service is not required. If a cell service is required, then speed is a factor when purchasing a smartphone. The abbreviation 3G represents the third generation of mobile telecommunications technology, but that is no longer the fastest. A 4G connection provides faster mobile ultrabroadband internet access for computers and mobile devices. Long Term Evolution (LTE), now offered by some phones, is a 4G wireless communications standard designed to provide up to 10 times the speed of 3G networks.

Many young students are skilled with mobile devices, and schools are beginning to recognize the cost savings of using student-owned mobile devices or purchasing smartphones rather than computers. Those factors, combined with the growth of educational apps, have inspired districts to consider the economic advantages and educational potential of these devices.

—Maureen Yoder, EdD, is on the faculty of Lesley University’s Technology in Education Program. She volunteers as a columnist for L&L.

Company
Model
Price

Apple

www.apple.com

iPhone 5

$199 (16GB)

$299 (32GB)

$399 (64GB)

Blackberry

www.blackberry.com

Bold

$100 with
2-year
contract
$550 (9900)
$650 (9930)

Specifications

Smartphones have many technical specifications to consider, including size and weight, display dimensions, screen resolution (measured in pixel dimensions and pixels per inch [ppi]), still- and video-camera quality, memory, and battery life.

HTC

www.htc.com

HTC One X

$199
with contract

Cost

Smartphone prices vary depending on the amount of memory onboard, but there is also the service plan for cellular connectivity and internet access to factor in. Service options vary greatly, so be sure to carefully consider the cellular coverage each carrier in your area delivers, the cost of cell service, and the text message and data plans they offer. Some providers require a multiple-year plan, while others offer prepaid or pay-as-you-go service.

Web Access

Often school districts are hesitant to allow mobile devices in class because of concerns about cheating and distractions. Many smartphone apps, however, do not require an