If my students had equal access to a hand held device that had the capabilities of a Smartphone device than technology would be the avenue for driving inquiry lessons in the classroom. The students would be able to connect to the Internet and access websites, join collaborative learning sites, and create webpages or wikis. The benefits of having the capability to explore, learn, and refine their skills daily would build on knowledge needed to compete in the world.
The size and capability of the device would replace the huge computers and allow for physical space in the classroom setting itself. The cost would be an issue at most schools who are struggling with the balancing of budgets every year. The federal government and states would have to devise a plan of how to make it economically sounds but it could be possible with private corporations sharing in the big picture through educational grants.
As a teacher it would be my job to help navigate the Internet, it would have to be used for educational access not entertainment. The Internet can be fun and educational at the same time. The students would be gaining a global education because the world would be accessible and the possibilities endless. One pitfall would be how to monitor students’ activities while safeguarding them against possible dangers that could be encountered on the Internet. This is a morale issue as well as an educational one because part of learning is making mistakes and taking risks. Safety of the device could be another pitfall because cost for replacing items that are broken or destroyed would be a concern from the school as far as how liable a student would be for misuse or destruction of the device. In the end the pitfalls can be minimized so that the greater good can persevere and technology can be used to enhance our students’ lives.
http://www.teachthought.com/technology/44-better-ways-to-use-smartphones-in-the-classroom/
jdig525 
I agree! I am going to work on getting laptops or tablets in my classroom. My Sped students are learning as they are using their phones. They Google everything, and they don’t even realize they are reading. I am getting the looks from older teachers when they find out that I am allowing my students to use their cell phones or tablets.
Keep your head up and don’t worry about those other teachers. Do what is best for your students and you don’t have to justify it.
You make a great point when you said that students would be gaining a global education. We need to prepare our students for the global world and these devices would be very helpful. I didn’t even consider how these small devices would eliminate some of the classroom clutter. I have gone in to several classrooms that have desktop computers that are never used, so it would be nice to have them out of the classroom and replaced with these devices.
Claudia