Smartphones seem to be more and more useful for everything, including research, teaching and learning. Here are some recent samples:
An editorial in Nature Methods, entitled The scientist and the smartphone recounts the many ways that scientists can use their smartphones for laboratory research, including interfacing with lab equipment, accessing product information and lab procedure tutorials, and a painless way to keep up with reading. There are specific apps for accessing Nature and American Chemical Society publications. Also see the post iPhones in the lab for more about apps and an opportunity to comment.
Recently, a Duke faculty member told me that using Papers on his iPhone allowed him to carry his scientific articles everywhere and this capability facilitated how he managed his research.
A special issue of Education Week focuses on mobile learning throughout education, from kindergarten use to improve reading skills, to solving algebra problems to examples in universities. The higher ed article is behind a paywall, but it begins with examples of mobile learning from Abilene Christian University, Seton Hall University and Central Michigan University. I’ve linked the university names to their own descriptions of their mobile learning initiatives.
Would you like to join in the conversation about using smart phones in teaching and learning? Join us on Tuesday, April 13th for a discussion of using mobile devices, like smartphones, in education.