Mobile Means More than Laptops in Higher Education (Market Focus)

• Identifies the key forces driving the paradigm shift toward ubiquitous computing in the higher education market
• Analyzes the crucial issues that will impede the uptake of ubiquitous computing
• Predicts how ubiquitous computing will change higher education institutions

• Understand the institutional factors influencing technology decision-making today and in the future
• Align product messaging with what will resonate best with end users in the education market
• Select product development goals that will meet future business pain points for higher education institutions

DATAMONITOR VIEW

CATALYST

SUMMARY

METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS

A paradigm shift for mobile computing in higher education is gaining momentum

A 'perfect storm' of contextual factors is driving the shift to ubiquitous computing

Growing competition for students is driving institutions to focus on satisfying their needs and preferences

Adopting cutting-edge technology is an attractive differentiation strategy for institutions

Students are an influential driver for technology uptake

Developments in the consumer technology market impact higher education institutions

The extraordinary adoption of mobile devices provides new tools to reach students

The expanding reach of cellular carriers offers a compelling model to institutions

The growing ubiquity of wireless broadband raises the stakes for institutions

Students' expanding reliance on the Internet will push institutions to expand their online services.

The success of online social networks demonstrate a shift toward ubiquitous computing amongst students

The affinity for podcasting amongst students will transfer easily to higher education

The growth self-service functionality has 'whetted the appetite' of students for more online services

A few loose ends may encumber the more widespread adoption of ubiquitous computing

The institutional IT infrastructure poses considerable challenges for ubiquitous computing

The absence of standardization makes ubiquitous computing difficult to manage

Video podcasts require considerable network bandwidth

Online services need to be compatible with the configuration of mobile devices other than laptops

Education has a distinct attachment to one-to-one computing initiatives

Students are not 'clean slates' when it comes to ubiquitous computing

ACTIONS

Ubiquitous computing will connect the higher education community in dramatic ways

A purpose-driven model for ubiquitous computing will bring considerable IT flexibility to higher education

Access to higher education will grow as distance becomes less of a barrier and content grows

Change will continue to unfold as mobile technology gets better, cheaper and faster

APPENDIX

Definitions

Extended methodology

Further reading

Ask the analyst

List of Figures

Figure 1: The number of high school students in the US is projected to start declining in 2010

Figure 2: From the classroom to the dining hall, students expect on-demand access to the Internet

Figure 3: The uptake of iPods has been explosive

Figure 4: Cellular phone usage has grown quickly in the US