Devices are an integral part of modern education. Today, learning is not associated purely with paperwork anymore. Nowadays, students can write entire essays and apply them from a smartphone as well as complete an assignment on a tablet while commuting to campus.
In 2018, a survey conducted by Learning House and Aslanian Market Research revealed that nearly 80 percent of students complete most of their tasks using a mobile device. More than 50 percent of 1500 respondents said they always do course readings and communicate with professors from their smartphones, while over 40 percent admitted they conduct research for reports mainly on mobile devices.
Young people also expect all course materials to be accessible to them online, so they can use them anytime from anywhere. Hence, the education system tries to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancement. Numerous learning apps and platforms were created lately to make studying more exciting and hence effective. Also, there is a big variety of online helping tools for essay or assignment writing at Writix.co.uk that allows young people to deal with their tasks in a better way. Such things facilitate learning and broaden improvements in the education system. Devices providing an opportunity to use apps and online services can make a meaningful impact on student learning.
At the same time, a 2017 Educause survey shows an absolutely different picture: 70% of 44,000 students said that instructors ban or discourage the use of smartphones in class. But more than 30% of pupils still resort to them during a lesson, even though professors are skeptical about it.
If you are still not sure about the benefits of using devices, consider the ways of applying them for studying.
Getting more organized
Students can use devices to stay organized. For instance, with the help of the Remind101 app, you can get reminders of upcoming deadlines or exams. It’s much easier to schedule your week and set tasks with the help of devices than on paper. Moreover, your smartphone is always with you, so you can access your timetable to check what’s next no matter where you are. This way, you will never forget important errands.
Self-assessment
Another common application of devices is for assessment. If you want to test your knowledge of a subject material before an upcoming exam, you can do it with the help of online platforms or downloadable apps. Just set up questions based on what you’ve recently learned in class, and revise all the important information to make sure that you’ve assimilated the needed knowledge. If you still have doubts regarding some questions, go back, and review the material one more time.Â
Getting up-to-date information on social sciences
There is a big number of apps that are perfect for studying social sciences. For instance, World Wiki provides demographic data for almost 250 countries all over the world, while iAmerica gives detailed information about the U.S. Presidents and the history of the White House. This way, devices provide students with significant classroom support by expanding their knowledge.
Increasing productivity
Some people are more productive at studying while they are listening to music on their devices. Sometimes, favorite tracks make students more focused on their assignments or research papers. Especially when it comes to classical or electronic music, it can be highly beneficial for our mental functioning. But note, it shouldn’t be too loud in order not to get distracting.
Promoting self-study
If you are so devoted to the studies that you want to keep learning outside of class, devices provide instant access to a big variety of subjects. You can listen to podcasts in social sciences, math, or foreign languages while taking a walk in a park and completing domestic chores, or watch a short educational video on YouTube. With the help of gadgets, it is easy to fill your spare time with learning.
Keeping in touch
Devices can significantly increase student participation in learning and extracurricular activities. With the help of social media apps like Twitter, young people can share study materials, communicate with each other, and give feedback to teachers about their learning. Devices make collaboration between peers much easier, so they can better work on team projects.
Final thoughts
All in all, devices shouldn’t be viewed as distractions anymore. Today, they’ve become super-efficient learning tools that provide access to unlimited information and resources. Gadgets can encourage self-study and motivate students through interactive learning tools. It seems there aren’t any reasons for banning them in the classroom, are there?
