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:
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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.
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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.
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For the most part, family ownership
of technology changes, in terms of the types of devices owned, with the stages
of children’s development.
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Most children use many types of
mobile devices—and they use them often.
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Parents’ attitudes about mobile
learning differ, depending on children’s grade level and gender.
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Majorities of parents believe that
mobile devices and applications offer fun, engaging ways of learning,
connecting and communicating
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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
