Teachers Say Tech Makes Learning More Fun, Students Say it Helps Them Learn

A recent survey conducted by Quizlet, an online learning tool provider, finds that most teachers say technology makes learning more fun, while students say it helps them learn.

In a November survey of 12,525 students and 10,800 teachers primarily in the United States, Quizlet asked respondents about their use of technology in teaching and learning — including tablets, computers, apps and websites.

Overall, the results indicate a trend of teachers being significantly more likely to view ed tech apps as a good use of time in the classroom than students. Generation Z (born in 2001 and after) students expressed more positivity regarding in-classroom technology than the ed tech apps they use at home, when compared to millennial students.

The survey found two major trends among teachers and students.

Trend No. 1: Teachers say tech makes learning more fun, whereas students say it helps them learn.

Teachers are 32 percent more likely than students to say learning tech is a good use of classroom time.

  • 83 percent of teachers say devices in class make learning more fun, but only 63 percent of students do.
  • 80 percent of teachers say apps in class make learning more fun, but only 50 percent of students do.
  • 69 percent of students say devices help them learn, but 40 percent of teachers say they help them teach.
  • 66 percent of students say apps help them learn, but 38 percent of teachers say they help them teach.
  • 80 percent of Boomer teachers, 84 percent of Gen X teachers and 88 percent of millennial teachers say technology makes learning more fun for their students.

Trend No. 2: Gen Z is more positive about learning tech in the classroom than millennials, but less so at home. Compared to millennials, Gen Z students are:

  • 28 percent more likely to say tech in the classroom helps them learn more quickly than traditional worksheets, books and lectures;
  • 24 percent more likely to say that tech in the classroom makes learning more fun;
  • 12 percent more likely to say learning apps help them learn more quickly than traditional worksheets, books and lectures;
  • Almost 6 percent less likely to say learning apps used at home are helping them learn; and
  • Almost 5 percent less likely to say learning apps used at home are a good use of homework or study time.

One thing students and teachers of all ages agreed upon was interaction between students and teachers is an important part of a classroom learning environment.

Adobe recently released a similar survey, examining how Generation Z and their teachers view technology in and outside the classroom.

For more survey results and the complete data tables, visit this Quizlet Google Doc link. 

About the Author

Richard Chang is associate editor of THE Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].

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