Technology Use Among Teachers Strong and Growing
The vast majority of teachers are using technology daily with their students, and most say their use of technology will increase even more next year, according to a new study involving 2,500 K–12 teachers.
The study, conducted by adaptive learning provider Front Row Education, found that 75 percent of teachers use technology with students on a daily basis and that a bit more than half have a 1-to-1 ratio of devices to students in their classrooms (up 10 points from last year's survey). That increase in student devices is helping to drive an increase in the use of technology, with about 60 percent of teachers surveyed saying they expect to increase the use of technology in the 2016–2017 school year.
According to the study, other factors cited as contributing to an increase use of technology included:
- Positive results from the use of technology with students;
- Expectations from administrators; and
- Access to quality software.
"We continue to hear from teachers that technology has shifted from a one-off lesson in the computer lab, to a tool that's incorporated seamlessly into everyday curriculum," said Sidharth Kakkar, co-founder and CEO of Front Row, in a prepared statement. "The results of our survey confirm this. Teachers are seeing a positive impact through their use of technology, which is translating into it becoming an essential part of their classrooms."
In terms of devices, the study found that 60 percent of teachers have access to Chromebooks, up 15 percent from last year; 64 percent have access to iPads, down 5 percent from last year. iPads tend to be the tool of choice in lower grades (75 percent in K–2), while Chromebooks dominate the middle school years (66 percent). Interestingly, Front Row noted, Chromebooks are more prevalent on the West Coast than in the East, where iPads rule. In the West, 67 percent of teachers have access to Chromebooks (versus 57 percent who have access to iPads), while int he East, 71 percent have access to iPads, with 62 percent saying they have access to Chromebooks. (The percentages do not add up to 100 because some teachers have access to both.)
"Technology continues to be a powerful tool for teachers, specifically when it comes to helping them learn more about their students," according to Front Row. "Determining their students skill level more efficiently was the top cited way technology has changed the way those surveyed teach, followed by determining their skill level more deeply. Other benefits include giving teachers the opportunity to try more creative and unique lessons, and freeing up time to provide more individual attention to students."
Additional details can be found at frontrowed.com.