Rethinking classroom smartphone use: the kaleidoscope in your pocket

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Mionsonraí an chúrsa

What if we stopped perceiving smartphones as distraction and started seeing them as kaleidoscopes? Each time we shift our perspectives, new learning patterns emerge, such as unlocking pupils’ digital skills, creating new collaboration contexts within the classroom, or even exploring new assessment methods that benefit both pupils and teachers.

This tutorial invites educators to reconsider the role of smartphones in the classroom—not as fixed threats, but as dynamic, purposeful tools. Through the metaphor of the kaleidoscope, you'll be guided to explore the many "facets" of smartphone use with a critical and creative lens. Moving beyond the simple “ban or use?” debate, this tutorial blends theory, practical examples, and reflection to help you reframe mobile devices as partners in learning—while keeping ethical and responsible use in focus.


The course is offered by the European School Education Platform. Visit our website for more information.

Duration and workload

Start and end date: open-ended, you can take this course (or any section) at your own pace

Duration: self-paced

Workload: 30 minutes


For more information about the competences and the proficiency levels see the SELFIE for TEACHERs toolkit.

An spriocphobal

Primary and secondary school teachers, teacher trainers and education professionals interested in learning more about the ethical and beneficial use of smartphones in the classroom and the development of basic digital skills among younger people. 

Cuspóirí foghlama

  • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using smartphones in the classroom.
  • Discover accessible apps to support creativity, collaboration, and engagement.
  • Explore key ethical considerations, including digital well-being and data privacy.
  • Use the kaleidoscope metaphor to rethink how smartphones can support flexible, meaningful instruction.

Arna thairiscint ag

Tá an t‑inneachar seo á thairiscint ag an gCoimisiún Eorpach. Is é an Coimisiún Eorpach brainse feidhmiúcháin an Aontais Eorpaigh atá neamhspleách ó thaobh na polaitíochta de. Is ise amháin atá freagrach as tograí a tharraingt suas le haghaidh reachtaíocht Eorpach nua, agus is ise a chuireann chun f

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Sceideal

  1. Tutorial roadmap: What you need to know
  2. Tutorial - Rethinking classroom smartphone use: the kaleidoscope in your pocket

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