English Language II – Advantages and Disadvantages.

Smartphones at the classroom.

   Being techies ourselves, we believe that having ICT in the classroom is not only extremely important but also necessary. Some people may think that these devices can distract the students but if we know how to handle an ICT device in class, it can be a huge advantage to make the class easier and more interesting. Of course, ICT tools have some disadvantages too -distraction is one of them-, so a teacher should know how to handle them.

   One argument in favour is the possibility of using the dictionary app which we can downloaded to our smartphones. For instance, when a person buys a Longman dictionary, it comes along with a CD which has programs for the PC or laptop and an app for the smartphone. So it is possible to have a two thousand pages dictionary in a little gadget. Also we can download apps from the  mobile phone store for free, so it is not necessary to buy any printed version of a dictionary for instance. Furthermore, some of these apps do not need Internet service to work, making their use easier in classrooms without wireless networks.

   On the other hand, nowadays all smartphones have a lot of apps which most of them are games. Some of them require a lot of hours of gameplay to complete. They even need permanent attention to upgrade and take all of the students’ concentration. Just receiving a notification distracts them and damages their task performance. Additionally, by engaging them in so many activities, a smartphone could become a source for an addiction, which engages their minds and captivates them for a long time, even to adulthood.

   To conclude, we know that smartphones are great devices to carry information and tools for educational and entertaining purposes. Not only that, but also it saves us a lot of time. Still, we must know the place and the time to use our smartphones usefully to not interfere in the educational process.