Correction Appended
Why are Blackberries, iPhones and pocket PCs called "smartphones"? Cell phone companies say it's because they can make you smarter. In February 2009, the wireless industry trade group CTIA presented research to support the use of cell phones in the classrooms. They discussed a study called Project K-Nect, a $1 million initiative funded by the telecommunications company Qualcomm that gave smartphones to students in four low-income high schools for use in their algebra classes. The study found that students with the phones performed 25 percent better in their end-of-the-year algebra exam than students in similar classes who did not have them.
Students who participated in the project said the phones allowed them to communicate with fellow students via blogs and text messaging while doing their homework, as well as to understand the material better by watching simulations for math problems using special programs provided by the project.
The claim that smartphones can make people smarter in areas where they would not otherwise have computer access is valid. Especially in developing countries where the majority of internet access is provided by cell phone companies, access to electricity is unreliable and the cost of electronics such as laptops is unreasonably high smartphones have the potential to drastically improve educational effectiveness. But what about on college campuses such as Dartmouth where virtually everyone owns a computer?
The BlackBerry website claims that their products are helpful to students because they can "use the web browser to conduct quick research online." But Dartmouth students who would need to use the internet for research purposes in class can do so much more efficiently using a computer. Most students use smartphones in class to check blitz, not to fulfill any academic purposes.
"During periods of slow activity or when someone's asking a question that I already know the answer to I just check my e-mails," Linda Cummins '10 said.
For Cummins, the smartphone allows her to cut down on both inbox clutter and boredom while in class both of which apply outside of the classroom, as well.
Alanna Kaplan '11 said that having a blackberry allows her to delete "junk blitzes" instead of waking up to a crowded inbox. Grace Lempres '11 said that owning a smartphone reduces the awkwardness of waiting for friends in Thayer. Instead of staring into space and looking anxious, she said, students can use their smartphones to search the internet and "look like they're busy."
While these arguments support the "smartphones are cool" argument, they don't do much to support the "smartphones make you smart" claim. Many students admit that having a smartphone can actually detract from their learning.
"I try not to look at [my iPhone] in class because it's distracting," Sam Wright '10 said.
Even though smartphones can reduce a student's ability to pay attention in class, smartphone owners claim that bringing a smartphone in class is preferable to bringing a computer.
"If you're sitting there on your phone during class it's very obvious what you're doing," Kaplan said. "You could be doing things on a computer other than taking notes and it's harder to tell."
Kaplan said that her BlackBerry also helps her stay organized, which indirectly helps her studies. She said that the ability to sync her blackberry to her iCal prevents her from over-scheduling herself and allows her to stay on top of her daily commitments without needing to be near her computer.
Smartphones are great for checking blitz, finding driving directions, keeping track of appointments and staying entertained. It would be a stretch however to say that they "make people smarter." Dartmouth students can use a planner or their computer iCal to schedule their lives. They can use computers to check blitz and search the internet in class and to communicate with their peers after class. Non-smartphone users can take their time or even "forget" to respond to blitzes, claiming that they "have been away from a computer for a while." Whereas people who have smartphones are always expected to respond quickly.
Bottom line: if you can afford a smartphone, go for it. They're cool little gizmos. But they are in no way necessary, and they will probably not make you smarter.
