Monday, June 4, 2018

Parents’ Thoughts on Mobile Devices for Early Childhood Learning


This report by Grunwald Associates LLC Learning First Alliance highlights the perceptions of parents of a mobile generation, from preschoolers through high school-age students. Given schools’ increasing interest in engaging students with mobile learning—during and beyond the school day—and in “bring your own device” (BYOD) models, parents more than ever could be key partners in contributing to this new frontier in learning.

Key findings include: 

-       Parents of students who are required to use mobile or portable devices in school, and “super users,” are the most positive about the potential of these devices for learning and education.
-       The vast majority of children at all grade levels—preschool (pre-K) through 12th grade—have access to an array of technology at home, including mobile devices.
-       For the most part, family ownership of technology changes, in terms of the types of devices owned, with the stages of children’s development.
-       Most children use many types of mobile devices—and they use them often.
-       Parents’ attitudes about mobile learning differ, depending on children’s grade level and gender.
-       Majorities of parents believe that mobile devices and applications offer fun, engaging ways of learning, connecting and communicating
-       Still, despite their interest in mobiles for learning, parents of K–12 students are finding that most of the mobile apps and content their children use regularly are “purely entertainment.”

Living and learning with mobile devices: What parents think about mobile devices for early childhood and K-12 learning. Bethesda, MD: Grunwald Associates LLC Learning First Alliance. http://www.grunwald.com/pdfs/Grunwald%20Mobile%20Study%20public%20report.pdf

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