Smart devices, (mobile phones or tablets) certainly do support a number of in class engagement approaches. However before we can start to exploit these wonderful tools in teaching, do we need to ensure that every student in a class has a smart device and further, does it need to be the same device in everyone,s bag or pocket?
I would argue no, for a number of reasons. First high percentages of students now have at least one smart device of their own. Second there are excellent web services, that can be used to support for example in class brainstorming on virtual writing walls or in class polling, that are completely device agnostic. In addition the same web services can be used on laptops which many students will have in addition to a smart device or indeed, instead of a smart device.
It is also worth questioning whether for such engagement activities each and every person actually needs to have a device. So long as there is one smart device or laptop per group of say 5 students this is sufficient as some of the best in class engagement approaches come from exploiting the dynamics of group output. As well as the above, students can get quite irritated if, in addition to their own personal devices they have to remember to bring in n institutional device as well.
Of course there may be some circumstances where it may make sense for all,students to have the same device, possibly pre-configured in some way. For example this may be appropriate on a specific course where particular software of device specific apps are integral to the subject and/or learning strategy.
Generally however institutions and departments should think twice, and then a third time, before abandoning the wealth of equipment students bring with them before going to the great expense of providing devices.
SMART Teaching 