When mobile devices first made their way into schools, most teachers were quick to rise in opposition. They saw these gadgets as a massive source of distraction. However, after a while, it became clear that mobile devices’ benefits far outweighed the downsides.

With the increasing computing power and functionality, smartphones and tablets are becoming ever more useful in learning. Crucially, students can conduct academic research from anywhere. Below is a more detailed analysis of the ways that mobile devices can help you in your studies. 

Featuring Videos in Assignments 

Most courses involve research projects. Depending on the nature of your course, you might need to feature pictures, animations, or videos in your work. These days, you do not need to hire a photographer for that. Mobile phones have placed in your hands a professional-quality photography power. To simplify your work, you could get a professional writer to offer you thesis writing help and shoot the videos or pictures yourself.  

Listening to Podcasts 

Students learn in various ways. Perhaps you are the kind that does not find it easy to listen to the instructor. Maybe you find it more convenient to listen to someone else explain concepts in a more informal setting. In that case, your smartphone can be a handy tool. You can use it to access educational podcasts online. 

Mostly, you will discover that the people who create the podcasts are passionate professionals or enthusiasts in the area who are determined to push farther and elaborate complex topics that people can understand. You could even ask questions or post comments, and you may get very worthy answers. 

Picture this: if you are an international student trying to learn a new language, listening to people speak would be a quite effective means. All you need is a smartphone and a pair of headphones, and you are good to go. 

Accessing Dictionaries and Learning Pronunciations 

As a student, you probably come across new words daily. But how easy can it be to deal with them if you have to drag along an extensive dictionary everywhere you go? Because you see, an excellent hard-copy dictionary is not lightweight. It is exhausting to carry it. Luckily, nowadays, smartphones have simplified things. A smartphone gives you direct access to all sorts of dictionaries.

With an internet connection, you can look up any word and get the meaning instantly. Amazingly, you get interpretations from different websites as well as numerous sentence examples. Another fantastic thing about smartphones is that they do not just present the meanings of words. They help you pronounce them correctly as well. You have to hit the sound button alongside the word, and Google will pronounce it for you.

Collaborating on Padlet 

Are you a shy student? Maybe you usually have a hard time asking questions in class. Padlet is an online tool that allows you to ask questions freely. Easily accessible on mobile, the app lets you engage your instructor and other students on different topics. You can use it to give your teachers real-time feedback and ask all those questions they do not want to ask in the classroom. This app also gives students a platform to present their research findings and ideas. Moreover, you can use it as a portfolio to showcase the school projects you have completed.  

Apart from Padlet, another app that both students and teachers find useful for giving and receiving feedback is the Poll Everywhere. This is an online polling platform where students can vote through text messaging, smartphone, or computer. Better than the conventional exit ticket, the app offers a more direct way of giving feedback and voting on issues within the school. 

Taking and Accessing Notes 

Many instructors still write on the chalkboard. While it is said that copying the notes helps one to remember them better, that does not work for some students. With a smartphone, taking notes is a cinch. Just snap the chalkboard with your phone camera, and instantly, you have the notes with you, all without the exhausting work of writing them down. If you missed a class, your classmates could send you snaps of the notes from either the chalkboard or their books.

Gone are the days when the smartphone was only seen as a source of distraction for learners. If used constructively, the device can be unbelievably helpful in education. From helping you access notes and do internet research to helping you get the meanings and pronunciations of words, the benefits are endless.