Everybody Wants IT

Open laptop computer
(Image credit: iStock/CostinT)

The recent Gallup report “Education Technology Use in Schools” shows what all of us reading Tech & Learning already knew—everyone wants edtech. NewSchools Venture Fund and Gallup collaborated to survey a sample of 3,210 public school teachers (Pre-K–12) in the US; 1,163 public school principals; 1,219 district-level administrators; and 2,696 public school students (in grades 3–12). 

Key findings include:

Digital learning tools are integral to teaching and learning in and out of school. 

About two-thirds of teachers (65%) say they use digital learning tools to teach every day; 22 percent use them a few days a week, and 13 percent use them once or less per week. More than half of teachers (53%) report that their students use digital learning tools every day to learn. About seven in 10 students report using digital learning tools outside of school for schoolwork at least a few days a week. 

Many teachers would like to use digital learning tools more often to teach. 

About half of all teachers surveyed (53%) say they would like to use digital learning tools to teach more often; 44 percent would like to use them about as often as they use them now. About six in 10 teachers who use digital learning tools a few days per week or less say they would like to use them more often to teach. 

About four in 10 students would like to use digital learning tools to learn more often. 

More teachers (64%), principals (73%), and administrators (66%) than students themselves (42%) say students would like to use digital learning tools more often to learn. 

Educators select digital learning tools that support student learning and meet learning standards. 

Among 15 possible selection criteria, teachers say the following are the most important factors for selecting digital learning tools for use in their classroom: provides immediate and actionable data on students’ progress (35%); allows for personalized instruction based on students’ skill levels (35%); engages students with school and learning (30%); and is easy to use (30%). 

The majority of teachers, principals, and administrators say digital learning tools support content that aligns with state standards or district initiatives. 

Among rated criteria, teachers (53%), principals (51%), and administrators (51%) are most positive about the extent to which digital learning tools support content that aligns with state standards or district initiatives. 

To access the full report, go to: https://tinyurl.com/y3uunxjs