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
Motorola
www.motorola.com
Droid
Razr M
$99 with
2-year
contract
Nokia
www.nokia.com
Lumia
900
$50
Samsung
www.samsung.com
Galaxy
S III
$199 (16GB)