A Smartphone, in simple terms, is a hand held device that allows communication in many ways. Today we find models that are capable of performing computing tasks at decent speeds. The Windows Mobile platform enables devices such as the HTC Touch Pro to create and share Office Documents, Spreadsheets or Presentations while simultaneously browsing the web, copying content to include in said creations, plus streaming tunes from online services to stay current with the Billboard hits. Multitasking phones make us feel connected while working which is essential for productivity in today's world. It is with these tool that I can be taking notes in a meeting while tweeting and finding resources that enhance my contributions to the discussions online and in the meeting itself. More than once have I found answers to questions that arise in such meetings and made it possible to find solutions that improve productivity and efficiency.
With this in mind we can say the following about Smartphones in the form of a Tetrad:
Smartphones enhance communication by making it possible wherever we are -as long as there are 'bars of course :) I can even stream live using Qik!
Smartphones make ordinary phones obsolete, enhancing their capabilities beyond mere voice communications. With them we can text, IM, stream, create, share, use WAVE or BUZZ, and even add Apps that enable us to do what we do in our home computer.
Smartphones make us think of how in the past we had a collection of devices that could do some of the things they do now, e.g. pagers, PDAs, feature phones, land line phones, cameras, MP3 players, portable TVs, laptops and many more.
Smartphones will bring upon a revolution in how we conduct our lives by bringing mobility to our daily tasks. For students, the classroom will be with them wherever; doctors can stream to the emergency site and assist live; the customer may purchase at any time; in all, anything will be possible regardless of how far, how early, how late or how difficult.
Of course, factors must be favorable -customers still need money, students must be registered, doctors need to be in an area of service- but with all this in place Smartphones will be here for a long time. The market is growing and the platforms are expanding with new presence from known competitors such as IBM, Apple and Google aiming for control. With more than 16 years of existence the Smartphone is proving to be the way humans are choosing to conduct an important part of their daily existence which is communication.
References:
Goggin, G. (2006). Cell phone culture: Mobile technology in everyday life. New York: Routledge.
McLuhan, M., & McLuhan, E. (1988). Laws of media: The new science. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Schneidawind, J: "Big Blue unveiling", USA Today, November 23, 1992
Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Luis,
ReplyDeleteIt was very interesting to see the different approaches we each took to creating tetrads for the same technology. Good job!
At the same time I was reading your thoughts on how the smartphone will effect our students in the classroom, my hometown newspaper published an article online (see the link below) that almost knocked me out of my chair! The article details how my school district is finally considering lifting the existing ban on cell phone use (and that includes smartphones) in the classroom! It seems the decision-makers have received enlightment on just how much our schools have been functioning in the dark ages when it comes to mobile educational technology. Our chief information officer stated, "In our district, it's our observation that more and more students are acquiring smart devices, particularly cell phones... We simply want to leverage the use of a device that many of our students already possess" (Freeman, 2010, para. 14). Also, just last week, I was fortunate enough to attend our annual technology conference. There I got a chance to experience using the iPod Touch in an instructional context. It was very exciting and fun!
Granted there are plenty of heavy issues remaining that will need to be addressed (i.e. cyber-bulling, cheating, classroom management, costs of the technology). However, it is an intriguing prospect and I sincerely hope my district continues to see the light. By the way, check out the comments at the end of the article. There are some very interesting reactions to this potential move into the 21st century -- with responders registering their thoughts for and against. I wonder how it will all play out over time...
Leasa
Reference:
Freeman, M. (2010, April). Palm Beach County school district to reconsider campus cellphone ban. Retrieved April 2, 2010, from http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/schools/palm-beach-county-school-district-to-reconsider-campus-514450.html
Leasa,
ReplyDeleteThat is good news. Hopefully more districts will sign in as the new Tech Plan rolls out. Good article and yes, interesting comments by readers!
Luis
ReplyDeleteSmartphones are possibly the next step in the evolution of educational technology. The workplace is now a mobile office with the use of the smartphone. Nice post
Luis,
ReplyDeleteWith the recent market release of the iPad, I am curious how you envision the trends users may be moving towards. Is the Smartphone going to be more like the iPad or vise-versa? Just as the Smartphone reduced the need to carry a separate cell phone, MP3 player, pager, personal assistant, Gameboy, calculator and GPS, it seems there may be another play happening for which of these devices...the minicomputer, the Smartphone, "Kindle" and the iPad...will morph into one. I do not own an iPhone so I would be interested in learning how an iPhone user views the iPad.