Mobile Learning Makes Its Mark on K-12

The use of mobile devices for learning is sparking a shift in the ed-tech landscape, but its impact on student achievement is unclear.

By The Editors

One of the joys, and challenges, of covering educational technology is that the landscape is forever shifting as digital advancements carve new twists and turns.

The latest shift in the landscape is the growing use of portable technology tools for learning. Mobile devices such as smartphones and iPods, still seen as nuisances or contraband by many schools, are now viewed by an increasing number of teachers and administrators as cost-effective tools to build and sustain 1-to-1 computing programs.

At the same time, more schools and districts are handing out laptops or netbooks to students to use in school and at home, a mobile-learning commitment that mirrors what is happening in higher education and the professional world. Other schools are concluding that they need to take advantage of the ubiquitous presence of technology by having parents supply laptop computers for their children, even if that requires working through some difficult issues about equality of access for students whose parents cannot afford those purchases. That trend is likely to continue as cash-strapped schools look for creative ways to start and maintain 1-to-1 computing programs. ( “Building on a Decade of 1-to-1 Lessons.” )