Students in grades 3-6 at St. Mary's City Schools (SMCS) in Ohio learn on a daily basis with 21^st century tools—in this case, the tools many of us carry around with us all day long: cell phones. The district piloted this project during the 2008-2009 school year and, based on positive learning experiences for both students and teachers, ramped up in 2009-2010 by issuing close to 600 Verizon Wireless smartphones in grades three through six.

Each child in these grades has his or her own personal smartphone to use throughout the school year. With permission from their parents, the students are able to take the smartphone computers home to work on class assignments. In this way students whose families do not have wired/wi-fi Internet access are able to get online via the cellular network.

"In a very real sense, SMCS's smartphone project is a real way to eliminate the Digital Divide," write district leaders in a description of a session they are offering at the ISTE 2010 conference. "By moving to 1:1, the district has created a level playing field. Due to limited desktop computers and limited computer labs/laptop labs in the elementary buildings, the teachers are able to use the smartphone computers to provide unique, new opportunities for learning."

The smartphones are equipped with GoKnow Learning software and the ability to do word processing, spreadsheets, concept mapping, word banks, and animation/drawing. In a post at the SmartMobs web site, elementary teacher Scott Newcomb says: "Unmotivated students have become motivated. The smartphones are reaching all learning styles and students. Adds district technology coordinator, Kyle Menchofer:

The students at St. Marys are doing an outstanding job of thinking out of the box. Along with the 3 R's. The students are learning the 4 C's (Critical thinking, Communication skills, Collaboration building, and Creativity/Innovation). The teachers have done an outstanding job of implementing the new technology without making a complete change in teaching styles.

Sources: ISTE 2010 session description and My Way on the 21^st Century Highway, SmartMobs