I find a tension between students and teachers over mobile devices and their use in High School. Many students cannot yet regulate their use and are constantly distracted by all the social media and even parents providing details of the day. Many teachers are constantly frustrated by the distraction and find students are constantly involved in a "social crisis" rather than learning.
I believe one way we can start to help students is to show them the power of their mobile device as a work tool. Changing the attitude of it as a toy/communication/game device to one where they can be productive. Having a tool that can easily allow this to happen is the essential first step in teaching them to be better users of their mobile devices. The Canvas Student app is that first step. Letting students see the power of working anywhere, anytime rather than just following the latest social mishap!
