Children should be allowed to use mobiles in class

A study by researchers at Nottingham University suggests that children should be allowed to use their mobile phones in class because they can serve as 'learning aids'.

During a nine-month experiment involving classes aged 14 to 16, pupils either used their own mobiles in lessons or the new generation of 'smartphones' which allow internet connection. They were used to create short films, set homework reminders, record a teacher reading a poem and time experiments with the phones' stopwatches.

The smartphones also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system or transfer electronic files between school and home.

Although the study was based on use in high schools, I wonder whether some of the ideas could be adapted for primary schools. For instance, in the days of the credit crunch, could children use the calculators in their phone rather than buy separate calculators? Could they be used to take photos of work to show parents?

I'm curious to know if any primary teachers have already embraced the idea of using mobile phones in school...