Students Want More Mobile Devices In Classroom

When it comes to the influx of mobile devices into K-12 classrooms, you’ll find both proponents and opponents among educators and parents. But ask kids what they think, and there’s no debate: Laptops, smartphones and tablets are the future, they say.

The Student Mobile Device Survey reveals that students almost unanimously believe mobile technology will change education and make learning more fun. The survey, which tallied the responses of 2,350 U.S. students, was conducted for learning company Pearson by Harris Interactive. According to the survey, 92% of elementary, middle and high school students believe mobile devices will change the way students learn in the future and make learning more fun (90%). A majority (69%) would like to use mobile devices more in the classroom. The survey found that Hispanics in grades 4 to 12 are more likely (36%) than white (30%) or black (28%) students to own a tablet. Similarly, black and Hispanic students in grades 4 to 12 were more likely than other students to own a smartphone (51% of black students, 49% of Hispanic, 40% of white). Overall, the survey found that more than one-third of 4th and 5th graders (36%), and a third of middle school students (34%), currently own a tablet. A quarter of all students intend to purchase a tablet within the next six months, the survey found. Asked about their use of tablets, one-third of elementary, middle and high school students said they have used one for schoolwork this academic year; another 44% said they have used a smartphone for schoolwork. Interestingly, among students who use a tablet for schoolwork, more than half (52%) use a device that they own personally, rather than one borrowed from the school.