Students’ ownership of high-tech devices increases significantly between elementary and middle school, according to educational advocacy group Project Tomorrow. 
More than half (51%) of 6th to 8th graders own non-Internet cellphones, and 34% own smartphones, compared to 29% and 19%, respectively, of 3rd to 5th graders. Laptop ownership also rises from 42% to 60% during the same time frame. Interestingly, the same number of students in grades K-2 claim to own a tablet device as those in high school (both 10%) — most likely the younger children are referring to their parents’ tablets.
Two in three parents are willing to buy their children a mobile device if the school allows it, and 61% like the idea of students using mobile devices to access online textbooks. However, 65% of principals say there is little to no chance their students will use their own mobile devices for instructional purposes in 2011.
Schools are more likely to allow their students Internet access. Three in 10 high schools (30%) and 19% of middle schools offered classes with some type of Internet curriculum in 2010, up from 18% of high schools and 13% of middle schools that did so in 2009.
More than half of students (53%) do not think their schools are doing a good job of leveraging new technologies to enhance learning. Three in four high school teachers (74%), 72% of principals, and 62% of parents of high school students feel their schools are doing a good job of using technology to enhance learning.
Source: “Speak Up 2010,”” Project Tomorrow, Julie Evans, CEO, 15707 Rockfield Blvd., #250, Irvine, CA 92618; 949-609-4660, x15; jevans@tomorrow.org; www.tomorrow.org.
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