Three Out of Four U.S. Students Now Use Smartphones in the Classroom According to New Survey

Colorful app icons rise above a smartphone screen

Cambridge Assessment International Education released their inaugural Global Education Census looking at the educational experience both inside and outside the classroom around the world today.

The Census surveyed more than 21,000 teachers and students across the world to take the pulse of education trends globally, with a focus on ten key countries including the United States. Three out of four U.S. students (74 percent) now use their smartphones as educational aids in the classroom, compared to just two out of five students (42 percent) globally. 75 percent of U.S. students reported using a desktop computer in  their classroom, while 59 percent reported using a smartboard or interactive whiteboard.     

Other findings include:

Tutoring: U.S. students are the least likely (12 percent) to receive tutoring outside of school hours, while students in China are the most likely (57 percent). Globally, four in 10 students (43 percent) globally reported receiving tutoring outside of school hours.

University aspirations: Nine in 10 U.S. students (90 percent) plan to continue their studies at university after finishing school.

Teacher motivations: Eight in 10 U.S. teachers (81 percent) say they became teachers because they like working with young people, the highest proportion of teachers to say this globally. The majority of U.S. teachers (77 percent) say that education is a rewarding career.