Student access to mobile devices ( not school provided)
| Smartphone | Tablet | Laptop | Digital Reader | Smartwatch | |
| Grade 9-12 Students | 91% | 39% | 54% | 13% | 12% |
| Grade 6-8 Students | 79% | 55% | 48% | 14% | 15% |
| Grade 3-5 Students | 50% | 57% | 35% | 15% | |
| Grade K-2 Students | 35% | 53% | 32% | 10% |
Can Students use their own devices at school to help with schoolwork?
Here’s what technology leaders said about student access in 2012 and in 2017.
| Policies regarding BYOD | Technology leaders in 2017 | Technology leaders in 2012 |
| Students cannot use their own devices at school | 27% | 35% |
| It is up to the teacher in the classroom if students can use their own devices | 41% | 36% |
| It is up to the principal if students can use their own devices in class | 24% | 24% |
| School provides devices so students don’t need to use their own | 35% | 20% |
39% of students say not being able to use their own mobile devices at school is an obstacle to technology use. 46% said the same in 2012.
91% of district administrators say it is important for students to access mobile devices at school to support learning. 61% say it is extremely important.
Types of mobile learning programs are in place today, per principals
49% of the principals say they are already seeing positive academic results when they assign devices to student to use exclusively at school
26% of technology leaders say they anticipate high growth over the next 2 years in the programs giving students a device to use at school and at home
Parents want students to use school-provided mobile devices
⅓ of parents vote for the school-provided model - their top choice
| Parent in Urban communities | Parents in Suburban communities | Parents in Rural communities | Parents – K-2 | Parents – Gr 3-5 | Parents – Gr 6-8 | Parents – Gr 9-12 |
| 33% | 37% | 41% | 32% | 36% | 41% | 40% |
Learning behaviors are changing as a result of mobile availability
| Learning behaviors | HS students with device | HS students without device |
| Search for info online | 74% | 65% |
| Email teachers with questions | 59% | 42% |
| Take photos of assignments or textbook pages | 54% | 42% |
| Get online reminders about tests or project due dates | 53% | 39% |
| Text classmates to ask about schoolwork | 45% | 38% |
| Read online books or articles | 43% | 32% |
| Watch videos to learn how to do something | 38% | 28% |
| Text their teachers with questions | 20% | 14% |
Teachers value the use of mobile devices for impact on learning
Top 5 ways mobile learning is having a strong impact on student learning:
SOURCE: Speak Up Research Initiative, 2017-18 Findings - the results of the authentic, unfiltered views of 406,779 K-12 students, parents, and educators from around the world. Speak Up is an annual research initiative of Project Tomorrow, a global nonprofit organization. Surveys were open from October 2017 through January 2018. Learn more about Speak Up and other research findings from Project Tomorrow at tomorrow.org. Qualcomm® Wireless ReachTM is a strategic initiative that brings wireless technology to underserved communities globally. Wireless Reach invests in programs that foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning and improve environmental sustainability.
