Coming Soon: New study on mobile technology and education

Large national survey underway with AT&T and the Learning First Alliance. In addition to a public study report, a detailed market research report will also be commercially available.

 

Data and insights from parents of K–12 students and preschoolers into home and school use of mobile devices

 

Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

As students head back to school, more of them than ever before will be using mobile devices in the classroom and at home for educational purposes. This fall, leading industry research firm Grunwald Associates LLC will conduct a research study to examine student uses, parent perceptions and family requirements for mobile learning platforms.

 

The study will be conducted with support from AT&T and in collaboration with the Learning First Alliance, a major national education organization.

Notably, the study will examine parents’ perceptions of how both K–12 students and preschoolers might be using mobile devices and applications as tools for learning even before they enter formal schooling. This unique aspect of the study is expected to provide key insights on tomorrow’s mobile learners—and complement in-depth analysis of older children and teens also featured in the study.

This study is particularly timely now, as school districts increasingly turn to mobile technology to engage students and increase cost-effective learning, using school-provided devices, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or shared-cost models. Among other topics, this rigorous, nationally representative study will gauge:

• Student use of mobile platforms for learning and other purposes
• Parents’ willingness to buy their children mobile devices and applications intended for educational purposes
• Parents’ attitudes about mobile learning at home and in school
• Parents’ perceptions about the benefits and challenges of mobile learning practices and policies

"Mobile technology is changing daily life for children of all ages," says Peter Grunwald, founder and president of Grunwald Associates LLC." And mobile learning platforms have the potential to engage parents as partners in learning, particularly when BYOD initiatives expect parents to share the costs and responsibilities for their children’s use of mobile devices for learning and school-related activities. Few rigorous studies have explored the fast-changing environment of mobile platforms from the parents’ perspective."

"Grunwald Associates has an unsurpassed reputation for market research into technology trends at ever education level," says Cheryl S. Williams, Executive Director of the Learning First Alliance.   "The findings from this study will be invaluable in informing policymakers, school and district leaders, education technology professionals and industry leaders as they move forward with mobile learning plans."

A public report of the findings is planned for the first quarter of 2013. In addition, a detailed market research package will be available commercially.

About Grunwald Associates LLC

Grunwald Associates is a full-service research and consulting firm whose work has informed the debate on a range of national policy issues. Grunwald offers an in-depth understanding of education and innovation, combined with mastery of state-of-the-art research methodologies. The firm specializes in challenging public and proprietary assignments for nonprofit, corporate and government clients. Services include sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research, including pricing simulation and product configuration, social media and community development, messaging and strategic counsel.
Grunwald has a reputation for research integrity and creativity and has garnered the trust of key national education associations, policymakers and educators.
www.grunwald.com

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates—AT&T operating companies—are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
www.att.com/mobilelearning

About the Learning First Alliance

The Learning First Alliance (LFA) is a partnership of 16 leading education associations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Personnel Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American School Counselor Association, Association for Middle Level Education (formerly National Middle School Association), International Society for Technology in Education, Learning Forward (formerly National Staff Development Council), National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of State Boards of Education, National Education Association, National School Public Relations Association, National PTA, National School Boards Association and Phi Delta Kappa International.
www.learningfirst.org

Source: Grunwald Associates LLC