Mobilicity research suggests smartphones play increasing role in education

Survey confirms that majority of Canadians agree mobile phones are an invaluable tool for students; unlimited mobile data plans enable Mobile Student 2.0 movement

TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Mobilicity today released new research findings pointing to the increasing role smartphones are playing in and out of the classroom.

The Mobile Student 2.0 Survey found that 66 per cent of Canadians would use a mobile phone to conduct online research anywhere, anytime; 46 per cent would download mobile apps to help stay organized; 41 per cent would record lectures and tutorial sessions; and 42 per cent would coordinate school and social activities if they were a student. Moreover, the majority of Canadians (56 per cent) think that mobile phones are an invaluable tool for students.

The Mobile Student 2.0 refers to the next-gen student who relies on a smartphone with Internet usage to enhance their education and social life.

New channels of learning
The findings of the survey align with what Dr. Mark Federman, former Chief Strategist of the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto, calls "the emergence of contemporary education and social learning."

"Not only are we seeing students using smartphones to record lectures, photograph instructor notes and collaborate through cloud-based applications, but some instructors are starting to allow the Mobile Student 2.0 to research items of interest during a lecture or use Twitter to open a back channel of conversation and enhance student participation and engagement," said Dr. Federman.

Mobilicity is enabling the Mobile Student 2.0 movement in Canada by removing the high costs typically associated with smartphone and data usage thereby helping students easily access contemporary education and social learning through the full functionality of a smartphone.

Unlimited data plans driving smartphone usage
According to Mobilicity's Chief Customer Officer Anthony Booth, the availability of affordable smartphones and unlimited mobile data plans are playing a key role in driving the student smartphone trend.

Mobilicity recently brought back its industry-leading $25 unlimited data, talk and text plan for the back-to-school season. Today, it also announced that many of its popular devices are on sale, such as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Android and BlackBerry Curve 9380 smartphones.

"There's no reason why students should fear using their mobile phone as much as they need when they can get unlimited data, talk and text service for less than $1 a day - without a contract or any risk of getting a huge bill at the end of the month," said Booth.

Canadians get poor grades as mobile consumers
Ironically, while smartphones are starting to revolutionize the student experience, the Mobilicity Mobile Student 2.0 Survey revealed that most Canadians don't give themselves high marks as mobile consumers. The study found that 19 per cent of Canadian mobile phone users would give themselves a near-failing 'D' grade saying they think they are "paying too much".  And, only 17 per cent of Canadians give themselves an 'A' grade for having done their homework and having the best plan out there.

"It's not surprising to learn most Canadians know they're not getting the best value in wireless," Booth said. "Unlimited data, talk and text plans are still relatively new in this country and the majority of Canadians are stuck in expensive, restrictive contracts. The good news is that times are changing."

About Mobilicity (DAVE Wireless) Mobilicity, Canada's smart mobile carrier, was created to bring down the cost of wireless with unlimited talk, text and data plans, affordable North American coverage, plus popular handsets and smartphones - without locking customers into contracts or charging extra or hidden fees. Everything Mobilicity does adds up to a better wireless experience, not an expensive one. NOW THAT'S SMART.

Formerly known as Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. (DAVE Wireless), the company is led by Obelysk, a diversified Canadian holding company, and Quadrangle Capital Partners, a global investor in the telecommunications and media sectors. Mobilicity was named one of Canada's Top 25 Up and Coming Information & Communication Technology start-ups in 2010 by the Branham Group Inc. Further information about Mobilicity can be found at www.mobilicity.ca.

Methodology: From July 9^th to July 10th, 2012 an online survey was conducted among 1,001 randomly selected Canadian adults who are on the Angus Reid Forum. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%, or 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to age, gender, region and education (and language in Quebec) to ensure a sample representative of the entire population of Canada.

SOURCE: Mobilicity

For more information, images or interviews, please contact:
Sheryl Steinberg, Director, Corporate Affairs, or
Michelle Fabbro, Specialist, Corporate Affairs
Mobilicity
647-70-PRESS
[email protected]