How to Utilize Your BlackBerry Curve in the Classroom

In our technology-driven world, countless college students across the nation are making use of electronic devices beyond the standard laptops and tape recorders. From iPods and Palm Pilots to iPads and even BlackBerrys, there's no telling what new personal technology devices are looming just on the horizon. And if you're a student BlackBerry Curve user, the following tips and suggestions are for you. After all, why should your BlackBerry only serve as a phone when it's capable of so much more?

1. Record Classroom Lectures with your Voice Notes Recorder Feature

With the BlackBerry Curve®, there's no need to tote a bulky tape recorder or even a digital voice recorder when this option comes standard on your phone. Simply access your Voice Notes Recorder icon (designated by a handheld microphone) and press your roller ball to begin recording. This way, you'll be able to save, file and listen to all of your professor's lengthy lectures without ever having to resort to tapes or troublesome computer files. And considering that the cell phone is the college student's single most important electronic device, there's little to chance you'll ever lose your lecture recordings. As long as you have your phone, you'll have your audio notes.

Need to send notes to a friend who missed class? No problem. The BlackBerry Curve® Voice Notes Recorder is capable of saving each recorded audio file and then sending it in MMS form (via text message) or as an e-mail attachment. No need to stress yourself out trying to make copies of handwritten notes or find a time to meet with your friend. Now, with the click of a button, you can forward your recorded lecture material in these two simple formats.

2. Keep Track of Test Dates and Homework with your Calendar and Task Features

Why bother with a bulky Day Planner when you can simply schedule all of your upcoming tests, quizzes and assignments with your BlackBerry® calendar feature? And with handy options to view your day, week, month and day-to-day agenda, you'll never be disorganized again.

Need a reminder that you have an upcoming assignment, test, quiz or project? With the BlackBerry Curve's® Task feature, you can create, file and categorize your own personal, electronic to-do list. Simply access the Task icon (designated by a small notepad icon) and begin detailing your task. Start by giving it a name (i.e. "Math Test"), then give it a priority (high, low or normal), a due date (day, month and time -- with which you will access the aforementioned calendar feature to schedule), and a reminder (also schedulable by date, time and alarm). Finally you will need to categorize your task and attach any personal notes to the "Notes" section at the bottom.

3. Use your Media Pictures Option to Store Diagrams and Web Photo Class Material

These days every cell phone has a camera feature. But with the BlackBerry Curve's® computer synchronization feature, you can merge photos between your device and your computer or laptop with a simple USB connector cord (either the one that came with your phone or any connector cord with the proper ports). This feature will come in handy if your test material will feature any diagrams or photos with which you need to be familiar. If these photos are on your course web site, simply right click on the appropriate photo and save it to your computer's desktop.

Next, open up your BlackBerry® Desktop program - which you should have installed with the CD-ROM that accompanied your device upon purchase. Access the Media option and then connect your device via the USB cord. Open up the Media Manager and click the gray button entitled "Start." This will boot up your Roxio® personal Media Libray, where you can merge Pictures, Music (including ringtones) and Videos. You can then create a folder, either from your device or within your desktop program, and title it whatsoever you desire (i.e. Biology Class Diagrams). Then you will need to simply drag the photo from your computer's desktop (or wherever you saved it) into the Media Manager and file you just created. The photo will then be on your BlackBerry® device.

4. Use your MemoPad Feature for Homework Notes and Personal Reminders

With the full keyboard standard on the BlackBerry Curve®, typing out brief notes in class with your MemoPad feature (designated by a yellow notepad icon) is as simple as composing a text message or e-mail. Each memo you type is capable of being filed, categorized into custom categories (the names of which are at your discretion) and forwarded in text message format (perhaps to a fellow student or classmate). The BlackBerry Curve® MemoPad also includes a search option at the top of the list of your memos with which you can search for a specific memo once you accumulate a great deal of notes.

5. Use your Calculator to Perform Basic Mathematical Functions

This BlackBerry® option should be a no-brainer for students. If you happen to be stuck in class without your advanced personal calculator, you can always use your BlackBerry calculator as a fallback option. Capable of performing simple mathematical equations, this calculator includes square root, percentage, fraction, and several other advanced options. With any luck, you'll be right on track in your mathematical studies with your BlackBerry® calculator.

So if you're a student and are or plan to be a proud owner of the BlackBerry® Curve, you will never be without useful technology in the classroom. From recording your professor's lecture material and scheduling homework reminders to taking notes and calculating mathematical equations, the BlackBerry® Curve can easily become one of your most useful classroom devices.