More than half of all student-used computing devices will be mobile by the year 2011 and online learning will grow at a compound annual rate of 26 percent over the next five years, according to a new study of the top 2,500 U.S. school districts sponsored by Discovery Education and Pearson Education.

The study, "America's Digital Schools 2006," is based on data provided by superintendents, curriculum directors and technology directors representing a total of more than 11 million students nationwide.

The research also shows that: more than 87 percent of schools offering 1:1 computing report substantial academic improvement where results were tracked; superintendents rank low total cost of ownership (TCO) as the most important factor in 1:1 computing implementations; and many school districts are unaware of a looming bandwidth crisis resulting from the growing number of student computers and applications.

The preliminary results of the survey, which were presented in March 2006 at the Florida Educational Technology Conference, are available online at http://www.ads2006.org/.

One free copy of the report will be provided to every educator who participated in the study. The report is available to non-participating educators at a discounted price of $599.

Districts, state departments and other groups interested in a special presentation of the report for staff members should contact info@ads2006.org.

America's Digital Schools 2006, http://www.ads2006.org/.