Wireless Industry: Mobile Phones Can Help Kids Learn

Educators, policymakers and wireless industry leaders reportedly believe that cell phones can play a major role in helping kids learn.

 

David Diggs (News - Alert), executive director of The Wireless Foundation, said that mobile broadband technology is increasing efficiency and productivity for businesses across the country, and the mobile learning conference strongly suggests that the same can be true for the nation’s schools.

 

“Based on the constructive exchange of ideas at the conference, we anticipate a bright future for mobile learning as a means to better serve classrooms and communities throughout the (United States), and to give every American student all of the advantages we can in today’s increasingly competitive global economy,” he said.

 

Educator Marc Pensky said that children learn by doing, not hearing. He also said that technology alone does not enhance learning, but today’s technologies, including the mobile phones that are now so pervasive in our nation’s schools, can be used effectively in education if schools make them part of a strategy of engagement, group study and teacher-guided peer teaching.

 

Another example that was brought to light by the panel was Project K-Nect, a pilot project supported by Qualcomm (News - Alert) through its Wireless Reach initiative, used advanced mobile wireless technology to improve math skills among at-risk ninth grade students in select North Carolina schools.

 

“Social networking for educational purposes turned out to be one of the more useful outcomes of Project K-Nect as students reached out via their smartphones to get help on their math problems,” said Irwin Jacobs, co-founder and chairman of Qualcomm.

 

“We were so excited to learn this week from educators that utilizing wireless broadband services and devices for learning isn’t just a trend, but rather a sustainable solution to educational technology that can enhance the classroom experience for millions of students in all areas of the country,” said Caroyln Brandon, vice president of policy for CTIA (News - Alert) – The Wireless Association.