Going Mobile in the PreK-12 School Market

April 2011 | 98 pages | ID: G2E8CA0D7E1EN
Simba Information

Abstracts

This brand new publication from Simba Information applies Simba’s time-tested analytics to the new area of mobile applications in the PreK-12 learning market to provide crucial business and market intelligence on this emerging segment of the school market. Simba Information is partnering with leading education market research firm MCH Strategic Data to conduct a survey of public school- and district-level administrators on their current use of and their plans for implementing new mobile technologies, including, laptops, netbooks, tablet computers such as iPads, smartphones and personal digital assistants.

Survey topics include:

• Student usage of mobile technologies for educational purposes by grade levels
• Implementation plans for mobile technologies
• Primary uses of mobile technology for education by grade level
• Disciplines and types of content most often used on mobile devices
• Funding sources

Contents

Methodology

Executive Summary

CHAPTER 1: MOBILE TECHNOLOGY ON THE RISE

Mobile Technology Is Coming to Education

What Is Mobile Technology?

Netbooks and Mini-Notebooks Join Laptops

Tablet Computers: iPads and More

Smartphones Are Replacing PDAs

iPod Touch and E-Readers Move into Schools

Future May Be Multiple Devices

Reasons for the Growth of Mobile Technology

CHAPTER 2: MOBILE TECHNOLOGY USE IN SCHOOLS

Overview

Access Moves Beyond Early Adopters

Desire to Raise Student Engagement Drives Mobile Strategy

Laptops and Netbooks Are Widely Used

Devices Usually Distributed for Specific Purposes

Time Spent with Mobile Technology Is Limited

Mobile Technology Used for Whole Class and Small Group Instruction

Devices are Used Across Subject Areas

Content Accessed Is Software Programs and More

Decision to Purchase Made at District Level

Funding May be Federal, State or Local

Table 2.1: Percentage of Students that have Classroom Access to Mobile Technology

Table 2.2: Primary Reason for Implementing Mobile Technology

Table 2.3: Devices Used by Students for Educational Purposes

Table 2.4: Mobile Device Availability

Table 2.5: Student-Use of Own Technology During School Day

Table 2.6: Hours in a Typical School Day Mobile Technology Is Used

Table 2.7: Primary Educational Purpose When Using Mobile Technology

Table 2.8: Subjects for Which Students are Using Mobile Technology

Table 2.9: Content Being Accessed by Students Using Mobile Technology

Table 2.10: Where Funding Decisions Are Made

Table 2.11: Primary Funding Tapped in 2010-2011 to Provide Mobile Technology

Table 2.12: Primary Funding Expected to be Tapped in 2011-2012

Table 2.13: Single Factor Primarily Responsible for Holding Back Use of Mobile Technology for Educational Purposes

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Implementations Present Multiple Technology Challenges

Choosing How to Manage, Control and Maintain

Beginning with a Strong Base

Budgetary and Financing Issues are Varied

Costs Associated with Implementing a Mobile Strategy

Budget Concerns Prompt Bring-Your-Own-Initiatives

Implications Loom Large for Publishers and Content Providers

Where the Content will Come From

Tools Augment Content

Mobile Apps Supplementing Text and Online Resource

Content Competition Spurs Publishers

Product Development Is Different for Mobile

Mobile Learning Devices’ Effect on Other Market Trends

How Schools Change When Mobile Learning Arrives

Classroom Management Needs to be Addressed

Impact on Learning Seems Positive

How Teaching and Learning Change with Mobile

Training Must Accompany Implementation

When Students Bring Their Own

Equity and Safety Are Ongoing Concerns

CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDIES

Littleton, Colo.: Using Netbooks to Improve Writing

Pulaski, Wis.: iPod Touches, Flexible and Inexpensive

Canby, Ore.: iPads, Toward 1:1 Computing

St. Marys, Ohio: Smartphones Become Integral to Classroom Life

Katy, Texas: Mixed Technology Implementation

Vail, Ariz.: Two 1:1 Mobile High Schools Lead the Effort

Eau Clair, Wis.: The Start-Up Phase

Forsyth County, Ga.: BYOT Program Takes Off ‘Like Wildfire’

Dysart, Ga.: Early Days of BYOT

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK

APPENDIX: SURVEY RESPONSE DETAIL