How to engage students with wireless tech

When technology is integrated in the curriculum, there’s a direct correlation in improving a child’s achievement.

Education has certainly changed from when I was in school, but when one of my grandkids started pre-kindergarten this year, I realized just how different things were since my youngest child was in high school just seven years ago. Along with the usual school supplies of notebooks and pencils, wireless devices are quickly becoming indispensable learning aids in schools.

Students can make their mobile devices personal, which means they have access to information and tools necessary to succeed in school when they need it the most. For some students, wireless means taking classes that aren’t offered at their schools through distance learning programs. Overall, this new educational experience, commonly referred to as mobile learning or mLearning, promotes critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and other life skills that will help students succeed in our highly competitive and global society.

According to a National Education Association (NEA) policy brief, when technology is integrated in the curriculum, there’s a direct correlation in improving a child’s achievement, motivation and enthusiasm since students and teachers are more engaged. Anecdotally, I hear inspiring stories from parents, educators, administrators, and kids on how wireless technology is helping students learn.

Regardless of location, size, socioeconomic status, or learning abilities, teachers and students benefit from mLearning. Through the high school program Project K-Nect in a North Carolina school district, the students’ math skills and their self-perception improved due to their use of smart phones and tools such as instant messaging, video and phone capabilities, calculators, and internet access. Sixty-one percent said they perceived they were doing better academically than their national peers. Fifty-five percent also said that their experience in the program has meant they are better prepared for this success.

By delivering supplemental math work along with 24/7 support from their teachers, tutors, and classmates, 90 percent of the students said they were “more comfortable” taking math and 81 percent said they have increased confidence in talking about math. In addition, two-thirds of these students are taking more math classes and more than 50 percent of these students are considering a math career. The teachers of the Project K-Nect reported that the students were more active participants in class, whether it’s asking questions, answering math problems, or helping other students.

In Los Angeles, an eighth grade history teacher uses Twitter to engage his students, especially the shy kids. As one of the quiet students explained, “It’s a great way to get people to notice you. They see me as somebody now–as an equal.” As for the history teacher, he said he appreciates the instant feedback and sharing from his students.

Even though we may focus more on the novel uses of wireless devices, we should never forget that at their core, they provide us with peace of mind. When we give them to our family, we know that they are reachable and if necessary, they can contact emergency personnel anytime and anywhere. Schools are using mobile technology to address safety through real-time video monitoring and mobile communication with teachers in classrooms, on playing fields and on school buses to discourage misconduct. If an incident occurs, school officials can quickly and appropriately respond.

Spectrum

Across the country, wireless technology is empowering students and educators by providing infinite possibilities to revolutionize the way we live, work, and learn. But there is a serious impediment that we must solve now, or our members’ abilities to provide Americans with the world’s best wireless industry will be curtailed.

It involves spectrum, which is how everything from baby monitors to wireless devices operate. I like to use the analogy of spectrum as our industry’s lanes on a highway. The ‘cars’ are our mobile devices, such as cell phones, smart phones, tablets, and wireless internet cards. In the last 10 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of ‘cars,’ or devices, and in the amount of time they’re spending on the ‘roads’. To meet that demand, our members need more lanes, or spectrum. Otherwise, wireless consumers will face a congested ‘road’ when they’re trying to use their devices.

Thankfully, this isn’t a tricky math problem, but rather, one that involves basic addition and subtraction. Some entities, such as the television broadcasters, are either not using all of their spectrum or are not being efficient users. Our members want to purchase this unused or underutilized spectrum for billions, with the proceeds going to the federal government. In turn, our members would invest more money so network coverage and speed improves, while creating innovative products and services to take advantage of the new technology.

You may have heard about 4G technology, which provides consumers with faster speeds and better coverage. According to a Deloitte study that was released in August 2011, 4G buildout could mean at least $25 billion in U.S. infrastructure investment; at least 331,000 jobs; and at least $73 billion in GDP growth until 2016.

In order to help the U.S. economy with 4G buildout (and beyond), which will bring even more fantastic advances to areas such as mLearning, our members are willing to pay for spectrum that is not being used or used inefficiently. This will also allow them to meet the growing consumer demand for wireless. In 2010, Americans used more than 388 billion megabyte (MB) of data. How much is that? The Library of Congress has more than 22 million books in its catalog.

If each book is equal to one MB, then wireless service providers are delivering two times the Library of Congress’ book catalog for wireless consumers every hour of every day of the year. Many expert projections estimate that network traffic will grow at least 50 times within the next five years.

By the end of 2011, experts predict that there will be more smart phones in the U.S. than feature phones. Since the use of one smart phone equals that of about 24 feature phones, or one Apple iOS or Android device is the equivalent to 96 feature phones or four smart phones, our members need to get this spectrum now.

It’s simple math. There are entities that aren’t using this finite resource efficiently. The wireless industry wants to purchase the spectrum for billions so we can continue to boost the U.S. economy with investment, jobs, and GDP growth. In turn, we promise to continue to create new products and services, which ultimately benefit all Americans, especially as our children grow up to compete in our global society.

Please join us and tell your U.S. Representatives and Senators that you support getting more spectrum for the U.S. wireless industry so that ALL students can benefit from mLearning.

Steve Largent is president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association, an international nonprofit membership organization that has represented the wireless communications industry since 1984. Prior to joining CTIA, Mr. Largent was a Member of the United States Congress, representing Oklahoma’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Largent was also a record setting wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks for 14 years, setting six career records and participating in seven Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 2006.