iPhones and Blackberrys are everywhere.  You’d think that students at Northeastern University are hugely important CEO’s the way they use them.   You’d think they were making million dollar deals based on how furiously they text on them.  You’d think the phone supplied air, food, water, and shelter.  If Smartphones are none of these things to college students, then what’s all the hype about?

My relationship with a Smartphone started seemingly later than everyone else.  I was a late bloomer, if you will.  After holding onto my Morotola flip phone until it disintegrated (R.I.P. Phone), I crossed over into the world of Smartphones.  Friends told me my iPhone would “change my life”.   What a lofty statement about a device, but it’s very true.  iPhones, Blackberrys, and PDAs are revolutionizing not only how business is conducted but how students are interacting in real time with the world around them.  I want to share with you on how you can use your phone to transform your classroom experience, some awesome Smartphone applications, and finally a note about the cost.

WHAT IF?

I am fascinated by the degree to which Smartphones and other technologies can transform my life.  In particular, my learning life.  Our generation, Generation Y, is blessed with being on the forefront of a monumental technological movement.  We have grown up with the Internet.  By using this as an asset and not a detriment, we can transform our lives with it.

I know many students use their phone for pure distractions during class.  I’m not saying I haven’t been in that boat.  What I am saying is that we can be in another one. We can use our phones for something unheard of.

iPhones, Blackberries, and Smartphones can transform the classroom.  They have the ability to take education, classroom discussion to a higher level.  Just about everyone has a phone.  What would happen if during a 90 minute lecture on Latin American Culture or the Principles of Macroeconomics – what would happen if everyone in the classroom were on their phones?  While the professor is talking to the class, could you imagine what types of interaction, engagement, idea exchange, and communication could occur simultaneously if students were to use their phones or their computers to speak about the topic?  Just like on Twitter with “trending topics“, the classroom could be a virtual discussion room in addition to the human interaction.  Huge class sizes at large universities especially have this problem with introductory level classes, as they are too large and not conducive to discussion.

With this method, everyone can be heard.  Essentially, it could leverage class time, reduce competition to speak in large classes, and increase the effectiveness of classroom learning.  Generation Y is adept to multi-tasking (listening, processing, reacting, and writing/typing) which makes us the most able generation to try this approach.  I challenge you and your professors – even for one class period – to see what happens when they  allow you to test it out.  It will be a sociological, technological, and generational experiment to understand the vast power of implementing technology into the classroom.

I admit this is a revolutionary idea.  I realize many people, professors and Universities may not be ready for it.  But if you can see the value in the interaction and engagement through the wonderful technological tools we posses, students might actually get something out of that 90 minute lecture.