Leadership for Mobile Learning Initiative

The report, titled Learning in the 21st Century: Mobile Devices + Social Media = Personalized Learning, was released at the recent iNACOL Virtual School Symposium in New Orleans.

But as we've said before, experience is what matters most on a mobile device, not whiz-bang specs. And in that regard, Apple certainly shines.

Sixty-two percent of parents surveyed said they would buy their child a mobile device if it would be used for academic purposes. "Many parents, teachers and administrators are now mobile device users themselves, which has increased their appreciation and understanding for how these devices can support and enhance learning," said Julie Evans, chief executive officer of Project Tomorrow.

"It's that last part that intrigues me, however. I know that many, many families and schools will be hard-pressed to digest even the 16 GB Wi-Fi model at $329 in K-12 --  educational discounts notwithstanding. As we know, Mr. Cook likes to brag about how well the iPads are doing in schools, but two factors remain missing: a really affordable price and strong corporate initiatives in the K-12 marketplace. Is Apple missing an opportunity?"

The next wave of that impact won't come from iBooks 3 or the new version of iBooks Author, which are both nice, but relatively minor updates. If anything from Tuesday's event will help push digital textbook adoption forward, it's the hardware. Specifically, the iPad Mini. By offering a $329 tablet, Apple suddenly made iPad adoption notably more affordable for cash-strapped school districts. Apple also released the fourth generation 10-inch iPad, which should help drive down the price of the company's older devices as well. 

Tim Cook said there are 2,500 classrooms using iBooks textbooks right now, which Madan says is still a relatively small number. He does expect, however, for that to increase in the coming years. As schools allocate money to set up computer labs with limited funds, many find they can do it for less with iPads. The 'computer lab' has become the "iPad lab" and the lower price of the iPad mini helps even more.

According to a mobile learning report released today from Blackboard Inc. and Project Tomorrow®, nearly 50 percent of high schoolers and 40 percent of middle schoolers now own or have access to a smartphone or tablet, marking a 400 percent increase since 2007. The report, which compares key opportunities and challenges in mobile device usage among K-12 students, finds that with this widespread adoption, more schools and school districts are considering the incorporation of mobile devices into instruction

"Follow us as Ms Sebesan's 8th grade Algebra 1 and Physical Science classes at the American International School of Chennai explore the wonders of IPads!"

Hawaii's proposed budget for the next biennium, which the Ed Board approved last week, calls for spending more than $14 million next fiscal year and about $22 million the following year to buy laptops and tablets for students.

"Paulding County high school students can now use cell phones and tablets in class to enhance lessons."