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There has been a lot of buzz about browsing the web from hand-held devices since reasonably fast standards for mobile data transfer were developed in the early 2000s. So we decided to test some “smart phones” to see how these developments could help teacher trade unionists.

1. Video conferencing on the go As a teacher unionist, your agenda is always packed with meetings and appointments. Some models of smart phones, such as the Nokia N97, have a small camera on the screen side of the phone. It allows you to conduct video conferencing provided that you have a good 3G mobile phone connection. Being able to conduct a meeting means a lot of time saved on moving from place to place, leaving you with more time for other work. 2. Talk to your union colleagues for free Many of us know that Skype is a common voice-over-internet programme (VOIP) that allows you to make free phone calls through the internet. For unionists living under oppressive regimes, Skype can even be their lifeline because mobile phone conversations or text messages could be tapped. Some newer phone models like the iPhone 3GS or HTC's Android phones let you install and use Skype for phone conversations. 3. Connect with your members on Facebook and Twitter For many teacher unions, social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are the essential tools for connecting with their members. While some unions choose to integrate them into the official union website and others do not, these Web 2.0 tools have become necessary modes of communication with union members on a more personal level. So far, only the high-end phones such as iPhone 3GS, Blackberry Bold 9700, Nokia N97 and HTC Hero provide the best Facebook and Twitter “apps,” short for mobile applications. The mid- and low-end ones from Nokia, Samsung and LG only offer unmanageable “widgets,” which are actually links to the mobile versions of these sites. 4. Take videos and photos and distribute them immediately to your members Trade unionists have to constantly update members about the development of issues they care about. To enhance the information provided, videos and photos can really help bring home the message. A good smart phone will enable you to take videos and photos of reasonable quality, but swift uploads to the various video and photo hosting services are still problematic. The iPhone 3GS has an app for direct video upload to YouTube (a popular free video hosting service) and an app for direct photo upload to Flickr (a popular free photo hosting service), but its 3.2mp camera has no flash and functions poorly in low-light conditions. The Samsung Jet S8000 boasts being the fastest phone ever, and it does indeed allow you take to videos and photos of excellent quality in 5mp. However its widget for photo and video uploads is extremely sluggish. 5. Create a union app as an extra service for your membership If you have a developer in your union, ask the person to develop an app as part of the union's services to its membership. You’d be surprised how many members will use it. The app can feature the latest updates, a frequently-asked-questions section, directory of union offices and contacts, union calendar and more. It could help attract new members when they see the union being so efficient and proactive in serving its membership. Lastly, we mustn't forget that a smart phone is after all still a phone, so you can also use it to call people! By Harold Tor & Timo Linsenmaier.

This article was published in Worlds of Education, Issue 32, December 2009.