Survey: Technology Vital to Student Success
Schools are seeing much more positive results from
the use of
digital tools than even a year ago, according to the annual Speak Up
report
produced by Project
Tomorrow and Blackboard.
According to the newly released "Trends
in Digital Learning:
Empowering Innovative Classroom Models for Learning," the use of
digital
content in the classroom increased by 45 percent compared with the same
survey
a year ago. Likewise, mobile learning through the use of tablets and
other
devices grew 41 percent compared to last year and 81 percent more
students
participated in online classes.
Those were some of the highlight results of the
annual Speak
Up National Research Project which has polled K-12 students, parents and
educators every year since 2003.
This year's survey also found that more than 90
percent of
K-12 administrators said technology is an important part of achieving
their
districts' academic goals. Similarly, more than 78 percent of parents
said the
use of technology would help their children develop the skills they need
to
succeed in life. Nearly half of students said they were more interested
in
their classes when they used digital tools.
"This year's survey results show greater adaptation
of
technology, specifically because all the stakeholders say that
appropriate use
of technology for learning improves outcomes," said Project Tomorrow CEO
Julie
Evans. "Students say using technology better engages them in learning.
Parents
say technology skills are important for preparing their children to be
successful in life. Educators see the positive impact of technology in
their
classrooms."
According to Project Tomorrow, 4,326 administrators,
431,241
students, 35,345 parents and 44,297 teachers participated in the survey
that
took place late last year. Forty percent of those surveyed were from
rural
school districts, 30 percent from urban districts and 40 percent from
suburban
districts.
The report was released during the ISTE 2015
conference held
June 28-July 1 in Philadelphia.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.