Research & Forecasts


New Survey Highlights Best Practices For Online Learning Programs

Reporting tools and specialized teacher training are among the key factors required for creating a successful distance learning program, according to a new survey from K12.

Smart Devices Continue Surge, Hit New Record

More smart connected devices--desktops, laptops, tablets, and smart phones--shipped in the latest quarter than in any other quarter in history, topping 303.6 million units, growing 27.1 percent from the same period last year, according to a new analysis and forecast released by market research firm IDC. The strongest gains were seen by the three leading manufacturers: Samsung, Apple, and Lenovo.

More Educators Joining Online Social Networks

The number of educators who participate in online social networks has increased 34 percent since 2009, according to new research, with 82 percent now belonging to social networks compared to 61 percent in 2009. Librarians have the highest rate of participation in online social networks, followed by teachers, and then principals.

Tablets Seeing Stronger Adoption Than Expected

Driven by stronger-than-expected Android tablet sales and new developments from Apple, adoption of tablets worldwide is growing faster than previously predicted.

Android Set To Increase Dominance of Smart Phone Market

Google's Android operating system is cruising toward total dominance of the smart phone market globally. According to new research, Android will power 68.3 percent of all smart phones shipped in 2012--up nearly 20 points from 2011--while Apple's iOS remains at a healthy but unmoving 18.8 percent market share. On the horizon, both Android and iOS will be challenged by Microsoft Windows-based handsets.

Report: Middle School Students Using Smartphones More Interested in STEM

Middle school students who use mobile devices for school work are more likely to express an interest in STEM subjects, yet there's a large gap in the number of students using the devices at home and those using them in school, according to a new survey from MIT's Center for Mobile Learning at the Media Lab and the Verizon Foundation.

4 State Ed Departments Complete Online Mathematics Assessment Project

Pacific Metrics, in collaboration with state education agencies in North Carolina, Kentucky, New Mexico, and South Carolina, has completed the Online Mathematics Assessment Project.

Digital Technologies Have Mixed Effect on Students' Research Habits

Teachers are conflicted about the effect of the Internet and digital search tools on their students' research and writing habits, according to a new study. While they seem to agree that mobile devices and Internet-based resources have had an overwhelmingly positive impact on students' research habits, they also question students' abilities to use them properly.

Common Core: 7 Recommendations for Effective Implementation

Conflicting reform efforts, poor communications, and "initiative fatigue" are among the factors presenting challenges to Common Core State Standards implementation. In order to overcome these potential barriers, states, districts, and schools need to take new approaches to professional development, technology adoption, and reform efforts, according to a new report released Thursday by ASCD.

Report: Mobile Devices To Surpass PCs in Web Access by 2015

By 2015 more end users will access the Internet through a mobile device than a PC, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation.

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