I have my doubts about phone use for learning in the FE college classroom. The tech is there, but given students’ current attitudes and behaviours, I don’t think mobiles are about to hasten the “fourth industrial revolution” any time soon.

But smartphones and other gear can be used in great ways to improve the college experience. By helping with accessibility for students with special educational needs and disabilities, for instance, or by providing tools to push the more pastoral side of things. When it comes to these areas, I’m basically in love with what technology can do. Because phones, laptops, tablets and the like don’t just offer explicit learning tools, they offer a multitude of apps and functions that ensure learners can make the most of their opportunities:

There’s Any.do and Trello, which are great listing apps for revision. Habitica uses a role-playing game interface to instil habits and routines.

I Can’t Wake Up! Alarm Clock will help your students to get to lessons on time.

Claire, who is struggling with the online learning app owing to her visual impairment, could use a magnifier extension on Chrome. Scott, who struggles to regulate his ADD medication, could use a pill-reminder app.

There are a lot of tools out there to help someone make their time at college better. You could also find a way to get out of bed and to catch the bus that gets you in on time.

Tom Starkey teaches English at a college in the North of England