Identifying the Potential of Mobile Phone Cameras in Science Teaching and Learning: A Case Study Undertaken in Sri Lanka

This research was motivated by previous work using mobile phones to support science teaching and learning in a variety of ways. This paper explores in detail how mobile phone cameras can support science teaching and learning during the planning, implementing, and evaluation stages of a lesson. A case study of a science lesson carried out in a school in Sri Lanka is described. The methodological approach of this study is qualitative and data were collected using observations, informal interviews and field notes. The results show that mobile phone cameras support the teacher in a range of ways during lesson planning, lesson implementation, and evaluating learning. Furthermore, the camera function of mobile phones was reported by teachers and students as enhancing the effectiveness of student learning, providing more opportunities for students’ active participation, increasing interactions and collaborative learning opportunities.