Ed Tech | News
1:1 Computing Programs on the Rise with Netbooks Leading Adoption
iPads and netbooks are beginning to make significant inroads into K-12 education. According to the results of an ed tech survey released Monday by the National School Boards Association, 16 percent of schools that have 1:1 computing initiatives are incorporating iPads into their programs, while more than twice that number--35 percent--indicated they're incorporating netbooks into the mix.
The survey indicated that, overall, 37 percent of districts have already launched 1:1 computing initiatives in their schools. In addition to iPads and netbooks, 28 percent said they're incorporating traditional laptops in their programs. A fairly surprising 22 percent indicated they're "leveraging students' personal devices by allowing them to access the school network, a trend that is likely to increase in the years to come," according to NSBA.
NSBA's survey was released to coincide with the Technology + Learning conference, which is getting underway Tuesday in Phoenix. More than 200 education technology professionals participated in the survey, all of whom will be attending the conference, according to NSBA. Respondents addressed education technology issues in a wide range of categories, from security to social networking.
Among the major findings, a vast majority of respondents said education technology has increased opportunities for learning for their students (96 percent) and increased student engagement (93 percent). Half said educational technology has helped ELL students, and 60 percent said classroom technologies have provided increased learning opportunities for students in special education classes.
Assessing 21st century skills is considered by more than 35 percent of respondents to be the "top education priority" that needs to be addressed by the federal government. (Forty-three percent aid they have already created new assessments that "incorporate such skills as problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking," NSBA reported.)
Some of the other findings included:
- 24 percent said traditional textbooks could be dropped "since students find them boring and prefer electronic resources," while only 7 percent said traditional textbooks were necessary "because educators do not have the time or skills to create their own materials";
- 70 percent ranked the federal E-Rate program as at least somewhat important for helping their institutions achieve technology goals;
- 35 percent reported having district-sanctioned Facebook pages; and
- 47 percent said helping teachers learn to use technology effectively is the greatest ed tech-related challenge currently facing their district.
In addition, 57 percent said the have created bullying policies specifically addressing online activities, while 34 percent said their existing policies already address the kinds of activities that could occur online.
Further information about the survey can be found here. The full survey results can be accessed online here.