Do Mobile Phones Benefit Students?
While the world has become increasingly reliant on mobile phones, their popularity among students has raised concern among parents and educators. Many worry that when so many teenagers spend so much time texting, gaming, and using social media on their phones that they’re missing out on valuable study time. What’s the truth behind this? Is it possible that cell phones could be beneficial to students? And if so, how can parents encourage their kids to make the most of them without letting cell phones get in the way of school work? Read on to find out more about mobile phones and education.
Advantages
The pros of using a mobile phone in school are many. For example, students can use their phones to do research, check out class schedules, send texts, or even tweet! There are also social networking applications that let you keep in touch with your friends. Some students report feeling less lonely and more connected to their peers by staying connected on their phones. Keep in mind that some professors may ask you to be quiet while they’re lecturing if they see you using your phone, but others actually allow it because it gives them one less thing to worry about!
Disadvantages
There are a number of ways that having a mobile phone can negatively impact students. Firstly, studies show that constant texting and e-mailing can be detrimental to studying habits and will decrease student concentration on work, leading to lower grades overall. Secondly, if these students need assistance with anything at school, teachers may have difficulties reaching them as mobile phones are often turned off or put on silent mode during class time. Having a mobile phone in school can lead to distractions from other students who try to get others involved in group texts or games such as Angry Birds while they should be paying attention.
The Conclusion
Based on my own personal experience, I would have to say that mobile phones are certainly beneficial for students. Personally, I don’t know how I ever lived without a smartphone. With countless applications available for free download—from tutoring apps that help me with math homework to cameras so I can snap photos of my friends and upload them onto Facebook (or, as is commonly known, the social network)—my life is made much easier and more enjoyable thanks to mobile phones. In fact, it was an application designed to help me keep track of my college classes that prompted me to start writing down which classes I took when. This simple task has helped me organize my schedule better than ever before.
Summary
If you have a smartphone, there are many things you can do to reduce your exposure to harmful rays. First and foremost, avoid using your phone while it is in your pocket as it maximizes exposure to these rays. Also be sure to limit use of your mobile phone before bedtime as it will emit more radiations into your body while you sleep which could lead to certain health complications. I would also recommend making sure that when using a mobile phone, hold it by keeping a small distance between your head and hands because direct exposure can affect nearby nerves. Remember, more radiation is not always better!
References
There have been conflicting reports recently on whether or not mobile phones help or hinder students. However, many of these studies are small-scale and limited to particular subjects, meaning that it’s hard to know how much credence to place in them. For instance, a study in 2012 concluded that cell phone use during exams was detrimental because it gave students comfortability and lessened their focus. This is only one side of a very multifaceted issue. Here’s what we know: according to The Student Room , research suggests that there’s some evidence that phones may reduce attention spans among college students but provides no results of how exactly they affect student performance at university or college.
Further resources
Research has indicated that students who multitask with their mobile phones in class tend to perform less well academically than those who do not use them, and even exhibit addictive behavior toward their devices. Still, educators are divided on whether they are a positive addition to student learning. For further reading on both sides of the debate, check out: The Pros and Cons of Using Mobile Devices in Education and Do Smartphones Have a Place in Classrooms?