EFFECTIVE USE OF SMART PHONES

 EFFECTIVE USE OF SMART PHONES

(To use Smartphones for learning and beneficial purposes)

INTRODUCTION

In the changing world, Technology plays a vital role, and out of the Technology, Smartphones are most widely used.

The smartphone is a device for Information and Communication between people. It is the combination of Hardware, Firmware, and Software. It includes- Audio and Visuals (Pictures, Video, Letters).

BASIC OPTIONS TO KNOW

·     Popups and X (close) option- Need to touch or press it, when some unnecessary screen popups or else the back button can be used.

·      Microphone & Speaker – Use Microphone when you don’t know the spelling of something but know the pronunciation of the word. You can use Speaker and hear the pronunciation of a word when you know the spelling (using Google translate or many dictionary Apps) or an audio about something

·      Search boxes – Use it wherever necessary by putting appropriate key words (To use the right key work- you shall use Google translate (https://translate.google.co.in/) or similar website/ App- to know the word in a required language;  Use https://www.thesaurus.com/ or similar website/ App- to know the different words that are related to a word)

·      Keyboard- When there is a search box or text box, keyboard can be used to type in words by touching that. Different language keyboard Apps are available

·     Notification bar and panel- The options in that can be turned on or off, based on the need. It has options such as Internet (to access to the world wide web and networks), Bluetooth (to connect to other storage or media devices), Wifi / Tethering (To get/ give internet connections), etc.

·      Settings- Has all the options regarding the device like storage to reset.

EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES & ACTIVITIES ONLINE

There are a huge number of Webpages related to subjects and concepts that are free of cost and easy to access.

Also, there are games and activities that are connected to the subject concepts which is available online.

You can just surf by using the Search Engines (Google, Yahoo, etc. ) and find the best webpage or activity which is relevant to the Subject Concept.

Some of the examples are:- http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/

http://pbskids.org/ , https://www.skillshare.com/

There are also many Apps in the Playstore for Education and Learning Activities.

 

WAYS FOR GETTING INFORMATION

There are many ways through which the information can be accessed by using the Smart Phones.

There are Offline (Don’t need internet connection after downloading) and Online (May need internet connection to access always) Apps. For downloading the App, 1. Turn on your Active Internet connection, 2. Open the Playstore  3. Locate the Search box, 4. Turn on Mic and Speak out the keyword / Write the keyword properly and 5. Analyze and Access the required App

The websites can be accessed through the browser with Internet connection and the search engine. For doing that, 1. Turn on your Active Internet connection, 2. Open the browser  3. Locate the Search box/ Go to a search engine (an example is www.google.com), 4. Turn on Mic and Speak out the keyword / Write the keyword properly and 5. Analyze and Access the required website

 

WAYS FOR COMMUNICATION

Today Communication had become very easier with the advancement of Technology. 

Communication can be through voice, words and videos.

Creating Videos, Taking Photos, Recording Audios and Writing Content can be done and posted through lot of websites to reach many people in different part of the world and to reach known/ unknown individuals for providing information, sharing of knowledge, knowing the concerns, raising support, and so on.

The Social media like Gmail, Messenger, Whatsapp, etc are used to communicate individually or as small groups. Facebook Groups, Youtube, Blogs, etc. are used to communicate with a larger number of people.

 

APPLICATION SOFTWARE AND ITS CATEGORIES

Each Software has a specific use/ application with a purpose. For example- Calculator is used to do basic mathematical operations, Calendar is used to see dates, Music player is used to play music, etc. The different categories are

1. GAMING APPS- for playing, critically think, finding solutions, etc.

2. BUSINESS APPS- for buying, selling, billing, tracking work progress, etc.

3. EDUCATIONAL APPS- for learning/ using new concepts, methodologies, etc.

4. LIFESTYLE APPS- for fitness, shopping, tasks, fun, etc.

5. ENTERTAINMENT APPS- for videos, events, chatting, social sites, etc.

6. UTILITY APPS- for booking a cab, hiring a home repair service, healthcare, etc.

7. TRAVEL APPS- for booking tickets, knowing routes (Maps), knowing places, etc.

THINGS THAT COULD BE LEARNT

Huge number of things could be learnt through the Smart phones via websites and Apps, such as Science, Gardening, Music, Crafts, Cooking, Techniques in different sports and works, Techniques for betterment of day to day activities, etc.

For example- English can be learnt through tamil or listening

By websites such as- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Learn+English+through+tamil

Through the Apps such as- English speaking

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talkenglish.beginner 

"English Listening and Speaking"

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funbox.englishlisteningpractice
"English Speaking Practice"

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talkenglish.practice

 

ALWAYS PONDER

Whatever the purpose for which we are using the Smart Phones or whenever we use the Smart Phones, we shall always ponder the following things

1. Respect the Self/ Others
2. Educate the Self/ Others
3. Protect the Self/ Others

“ If the game we play or the learning we have is not helping us to respect, educate or protect the self/ others, it is not worthwhile pursuing it”

“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour”