Using a health care practice framework to address smartphone use in the classroom

Existing research indicates that off-task smartphone use within classrooms is negatively related to many important academic measures such as attention, comprehension, and grades. However, many educators have begun to advocate smartphone utilization in education, particularly to prepare students for future work environments. There is an increasing use of mobile devices within health care environments and it will be important for pharmacy graduates to possess both technical and socio-technical skills to safely and effectively use digital information. Instructors face the difficult task of controlling digital distractions within the classroom. From a student perspective, it is important that the education environment includes technologies used in practice. Discussing the issues and opportunities of smartphone use within the framework of a health care environment may help guide instructors with regard to their approach to dealing with student smartphone use. This article summarizes existing literature regarding smartphone use in classrooms and provides recommendations to educators for addressing potential problems and opportunities.