How To Get Smartphones Into Classes: a guide for teachers

By Roman Thomas Sedlar

This e-book serves primarily as a guide for devotees who are interested in involving modern technology in teaching. Mobile phones and tablets are nowadays a common part of everyday life for pupils, so why not use this state and not bring lessons to the modern world of the pupil. However, the use of mobile devices in teaching must have their own rules and work with them must be meaningful.

After reading this book, any teacher will be free to handle the professional involvement of mobile devices in any lesson.

Part of the income from this book is donated to the high school in Western Cape, South Africa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roman Thomas Sedlar
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018

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1. SWOT analysis of the use of mobile technologies in teaching English

This part of the manual evaluates changes in the management of teaching and carries out SWOT analysis of the use of mobile technologies in English language teaching. The individual starting points and principles of the analysis are classified by the strengths/weaknesses of the starting state and by the opportunities/threats of external factors and influences to change management.

1.1 Basics and principles of SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis is used to analyse the baseline or process in the assessment of internal and external criteria. The abbreviation is derived from the initial letters of the English names of the rated parameters - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threads (see the following Table).

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The analysis aims to identify internal and external factors that are relevant to the goal. The information thus processed is divided into two main categories - internal factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external factors (Opportunities and Threats).

In the context of internal factors, we assess the relevance of the data with respect to the organisation, while in assessing external factors we examine the effects of the external environment on the state or process under consideration. We analyse the process by summarising the assets of the evaluated process, i.e. strengths and opportunities, and by identifying process weaknesses and threats. The first summary will provide us with a critical view of our resources that we will need in our own planning and implementation. The second combination of weaknesses and threats gives us an overview of existing and future problems. A realistic and critical assessment of these factors is very important for the subsequent implementation of the change.

1.1.1 The Strengths of using mobile technologies in teaching

The following overview includes a list of the Strengths of mobile technology used to manage English language teaching in terms of SWOT analysis.

- Willingness to work with m-technologies.

- Mobile technology equipment.

- Willingness to use m-technology.

- Flexibility and mobility of current facilities.

- Equipment of current classrooms / classes.

- Native Bluetooth protocol.

- Flexibility of the educational plan / school curriculum.

- Applications in English.

- Funds for teacher education.

- Touch-typing (if compulsory subject).

- Access to teaching applications.

- iCloud services.

- Smartboard in classrooms.

- Apps for off-line work.

- Classroom communication platform.

- Powerbanks.

The strength attributes mentioned above qualify the underlying factors of internal resources which can be used when introducing teaching with mobile technology. Different aspects of the strengths are also apparent from the operational survey mentioned in Chapter 4.1.1. These are undoubtedly the knowledge, ability and willingness of today's pupils to work with mobile technologies. Pupils and parents already have some type of m-equipment and are willing to use it as a tool for teaching English. One of the main features of portable devices is their high flexibility and mobility.

Each intended classroom is probably equipped with a desktop PC with a sound system, data projector and Internet connection. All m-devices are natively equipped with Bluetooth communication protocol today. An important support tool is also the flexibility and openness of school curricula for the potential introduction of learning through m-technologies. Most applications are in English, which creates a strong motivational potential for pupils. As part of the internal attributes, there is undoubtedly the possibility to use relevant funds for teacher education in the field of technology.

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The benefit of the mentioned school can undoubtedly be that all pupils have a compulsory subject of touch-typing. Current digital technology offers access to a vast array of relevant applications for English teaching, while enabling data backup on iCloud servers. A large number of applications are also available for off-line work. The vocational classrooms of the mentioned school are equipped with interactive Smartboard technology. The school also takes full advantage of the online administrative concept. Last but not least, the availability of external power sources for mobile devices also plays an important role.

1.1.2 The Weaknesses of using mobile technologies in teaching

The following overview includes a list of the Weaknesses in the use of mobile technologies in the management of English teaching as part of SWOT