Word Cloud: Technology in the Classroom

The constant evolution of technology isn't limited to businesses and government. Education in the classroom has to keep up with the trends in technology so that students are able to reap the benefits of these advancements. The generation of Millennials are beginning to dominate the numbers of employees in the workforce, and the generation behind them will begin joining soon. These generations grew up in the digital age and will only be familiar with technology in all aspects of life. In elementary classrooms, chalk boards have been replaced by Promethean boards - an interactive tool that helps keeps students engaged in daily lessons. School boards and educators need to embrace technology as teaching aids for the benefit of students.
One of the fastest growing platforms users are consuming technology is by mobile. This can mean a cell phone, smartphone, or tablet. As recently as two years ago, Pew Research Center shared data indicating the growing reliance on mobile devices. In January of 2014, 90% of Americans owned a cell phone (Pew Research Center, Mobile Technology Fact Sheet, 2014). The evolution of cell phones into smartphones enables users to engage with others via text, e-mail, and social media. Businesses have benefitted from the growing adoption of smartphones through e-commerce. Two years ago, seven percent of US adults self-reported as smartphone dependent; a number that has surely risen since then (Pew Research Center, 2014). With the knowledge that mobile technology is the growing trend, a fifth grade teacher is incorporating mobile technology in his students learning.
Matt Cook is a teacher at Trinity Meadows Intermediate School and he is making mobile technology work for his students. In an interview with Education World, Cook discusses the benefits of incorporating cells phones in his classroom. Cook partnered with Verizon, HTC, and Microsoft to enable each student the ability to have a cell phone and the functionality to access classroom material on the go. Initially, skepticism would suggest that cell phones in the classroom would be an easy distraction. However, by initiating the project, Cook has created the standards and expectations for the students to be able to have the cell phones. The teacher manages the apps that can be downloaded onto the phone and is also able to monitor their usage (Bafile, Education World, 2009). Data trends have shown that allowing devices into the classroom is more beneficial than not.
When comparing mobile access among teenagers, Liz Kolb, Ph.D, helps provide a breakdown of the different groups that users fall into.

Using a word cloud to derive Dr. Kolb's output, several items stand out. There is a comparison of cell phone to smartphone. There is also a comparison of how phone usage breaks down across ethnicities. Third, Dr. Kolb discusses how students use their phones. For businesses, mobility is becoming their greatest ability. Education and technology are not mutually exclusive.