Most Teachers Say Classroom Tech Helps Students, but Teachers Need More Training

Most Teachers Say Classroom Tech Helps Students, but Teachers Need More Training

Nearly four in five — 78 percent — of teachers say they haven't received the training they need to effectively use the technology they're asked to in the classroom, according to a new report from SAM Labs. At the same time, 82 percent of survey respondents said they believe students who use technology in the classroom are better prepared for their future careers.

The report is the result of an online survey administered to 250 teachers in the United States. Other key findings include:

  • Nearly half — 48 percent — of those surveyed said they believe students retain more information across all subjects when learning with technology;
  • 41 percent said that students learn faster with technology;
  • 31 percent said they believe students who learn with technology have higher test scores;
  • 69 percent of participants said they believe technology can be used to support any subject;
  • 37 percent of surveyed teachers said they spend free time learning how to use the technology they use in the classroom;
  • One-third said they wish they had more resources to support the technology-based lesson plans;
  • More than half — 58 percent — of teachers said they feel confident using technology in their classrooms;
  • 44 percent said they wish they had access to more classroom tech; and
  • 24 percent said they are afraid that their students know more about technology than they do.

The researchers also asked teachers which subjects they have seen student improvement from as a result of the use of technology. Those results include:

  • Math, at 65 percent;
  • Reading and writing, at 56 percent;
  • 39 percent said English;
  • 21 percent pointed to history;
  • Earth sciences came in fifth at 20 percent;
  • Geography was identified by 18 percent of respondents;
  • 15 percent said they saw improvements in biology or chemistry; and
  • Foreign languages came in last at 11 percent.

"While the $200 million grant to support coding and computer science education is a step in the right direction for the U.S. education system – though probably one that should have been taken years ago – we need to carefully determine how this money will actually be most impactful in the classroom" said Joachim Horn, CEO of SAM Labs, referring to a plan floated by the White House to spend $200 million on STEM education in a prepared statement. "Because they are on the front lines with students every day, teachers are in the best position to identify the opportunities — and the challenges — that the government will face in supporting students' education. By first focusing on how we can support and train our educators, we will quickly see U.S. students excel in STEM."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • computer screen displaying a landline phone being unplugged from a single cord, with a modern office desk, keyboard, and subtle lighting in the background

    Microsoft Shutting Down Skype

    Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025.

  • reDesign Future9 report

    ReDesign Updates 9 Essential Competencies for K-12 Students

    ReDesign, a provider of support and resources for competency-based education, has updated its Future9 Competency Framework to reflect the essential skills K-12 students need today to thrive in their education and workforce journeys.

  • abstract illustration of a classroom with glowing circuits and technology gradually integrated from left to right

    Not All Tech Is Created Equal: Transforming Classrooms with Purposeful Technology

    Classrooms will always be places where students build relationships, develop critical thinking skills, and grow into who they’re going to be as adults and citizens. Technology should be a tool to support these goals.