Going Mobile in the PreK-12 School Market

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

Stamford, CT - March 9, 2011 -Going Mobile in the PreK-12 Market and found that once mobile technology is implemented, schools are reluctant to give it up.

Although long thought to create behavioral issues in the classroom, pilot programs using mobile devices in PreK-12 classrooms actually resulted in increased student engagement and test scores. In addition, the report finds usage of mobile devices increases the probability that special needs and English language learners will complete homework assignments.

"There is a distinct opportunity here for mobile device manufacturers to target school districts," says Kathy Mickey, senior analyst at Simba Information. "With strong support coming from pilot programs, implementing mobile devices will bring school districts closer to their 1:1 computing goal."

While budgets were frozen or greatly restricted during the last few years, the slow return of local and state funds to education is pushing districts to consider the cost advantage of purchasing mobile devices over widely implemented net book or laptop computers.

"We've seen results of districts saving over $3000 a year in printing and textbook costs simply by implementing full mobile device use in a single classroom," notes Mickey.

According to the report, teachers and students become attached to mobile technology, as it makes it easier for children to compete, find information, understand abstract concepts and actively learn while in the classroom.

"It's like finding a shortcut and then being forced to take the long way; the mobile devices establish another method to teaching the subject," adds Mickey. "This echoes a strong sentiment from school districts to have them in the classroom."

Going Mobile in the PreK-12 Market outlines opportunities for mobile device makers in the PreK-12 market, analyzing survey results from district and elementary technology directors and coordinators, as well as providing case studies of pilot programs throughout the United States.

Simba Information and MCH Data are also hosting a free webinar discussing mobile technology in the PreK-12 classroom. Registration for the webinar is available here: http://www.simbainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=81203&url=http://www.mchdata.com/going-mobile.