The U.S. education system is having its mobile learning (mLearning) moment, with devices in some form in the majority of schools and more predicted in the next 1-2 years.
At different paces using different model and depending on funds, districts across the country are making the digital transition and are working to provide students with 21st-century teaching and learning. The above Mobile Moment in K-12 Infographic shows how mobile learning technology’s substantial presence in schools is expanding and will only continue to grow in the next few years.
According to the infographic 71% of districts surveyed in 2014 reported that at least a quarter of their schools have adopted mobile technology–up from 60% in 2013.
67% of those with no mobile learning technology at present said they were very or somewhat likely to adopt it in the next 1-2 years.
While the most common model remains the class set shared by multiple classrooms, more and more schools are moving towards every student having their own device to use across classes.
82% of school districts are highly interested in implementing or expanding a district-wide 1:1 mobile device solution within the next 2 years, if budgets allow.
Furthermore, more districts have “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies in 2014 than in 2013 and those policies range widely. However, regarding Implementing school-wide mobile tech initiatives isn’t without its challenges. Respondents from districts that adopted mobile technology reported the following difficulties:
- Bandwidth, WiFi connectivity, and/or technology infrastructure (55%)
- Lack of professional development and support for teachers (70%)
- Managing a large fleet of devices (60%)
- Breakage, device damage, repair (45%)
Financial sources for mobile tech hardware purchases include:
- District technology funds (63%)
- General district funds (57%)
- State grant/funding (33%)
- Federal grant/funding (31%)
- Other sources of grant/funding (31%)
- Students’ families/BYOD model (23%)