It’s unexpected because, ergonomically speaking, cell phones would seem to be the same distraction for learners that they are for drivers. The July 27 issue of The Ergonomics Report™ergonomicsreport.com, a subscription publication for readers needing a deeper view of current ergonomics issues, explores environments where cell phone use can be an outright hazard. This new research, conducted by the Centre for Applied Educational Research in Melbourne, Australia, is pointing to the classroom as one environment where the ergonomics credentials of cell phones could be unquestionable.

In the study they are being used as mobile computers. They have a big advantage over lap top computers in the classroom because they are cheaper, more portable and almost as sophisticated. Using camera phones, students develop their literacy by capturing images, writing about them, and emailing the work to friends, families and teachers. In some variations of the study, students receive plans from the teacher via the devices, and record evidence of their work.

The study was published in August in Professional Educator and covered by The Age newspaper, both Australian publications. According to Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young, the lead researcher, one of the key rationales behind the project is that students are using technology they value and with which they feel comfortable. "It's understandable," she wrote, "that many educators view these phones as a huge distraction, dreadful intrusions and tools of the evil 'snapperazi'. But as with all tools of learning, once a purpose is established, mobile devices will have a role to play."

The researchers also suggest using the phones as tools to share, not just for individuals.

They take on additional ergonomic value because they can reach out to enhance the learning experience of youthful users who might otherwise be left on the sidelines. The principal of one participating school had been looking for something to excite disengaged students, and has been "overwhelmed by the resulting enthusiasm" when projects incorporated cell phones. And for students who are reluctant to put pen to paper, the phones appear to be opening the door to literacy because they are being used to write stories.

The project is using 20 high-tech phones provided by Nokia in Finland. They contain a megapixel camera, and can record up to 10 minutes of video. They can access the Internet, have 8MB of memory – and make calls.

"We need to explore what mobiles mean for learning, and begin thinking of these phones as capable of supporting us in many aspects of communication," explained Dr. Hartnell-Young.

Explaining the apparent success of the study, one participant observed that this is a generation that doesn't have to be taught how to use these mobile communication devices.

Sources: The Age; The Ergonomics Report™