Key points:
An overwhelming majority of educators (93 percent) say they believe educational technology improves teaching and learning, according to a new survey of the NetSupport classroom management solution.
The survey asked educators who manage or use technology about the use and benefits of educational technology in their schools. Educators were asked about the challenges they face and whether increased funding, training or other support would improve the effectiveness of educational technology.
Given the edtech-top40″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Growth in number of educational technology tools used by school district reported by LearnPlatform– tripling between 2017 and 2023 – NetSupport collected information from teachers, IT staff and administrators on how well equipped educators feel in using and managing technology.
Among the findings:
When it comes to the number of educational technology tools used in schools and classrooms, some educators are comfortable with their current number of tools, while others are a little overwhelmed: 30 percent said they have too many educational technology tools to understand and use, 38 percent said they are comfortable with their current mix, 17 percent said they do not have enough tools to do their jobs as they would like, and 16 percent said they have enough tools, but not the right ones. .
As for what educators want for their classrooms, 32 percent would like more time to learn and improve how they use technology in the classroom, 28 percent would like more funding for more (or improved) educational technology products and services, 22 percent would like more training and support. For the tools they already have, 10 percent would like fewer tools and a streamlined approach to using technology, and 8 percent would like more individualized instruction time that does not rely on technology.
When it comes to who is responsible for the proper integration and effective use of educational technology, the responsibility falls on:
- Classroom teachers: 34 percent
- IT staff or departments: 27 percent
- School leaders such as principals/principals or department heads: 27 percent
- Purchasing officers or departments: 3 percent
- MAT/District leadership, such as boards or superintendents: 4 percent
- Anyone else: 4 percent
“These results support our experience working with teachers and educational leaders. Around the world and in the United States, educators say learning devices and technology offer significant benefits, but we cannot ignore the pressing need to provide teachers with adequate training and time to manage the technology they need. they currently use,” said Al Kingsley, CEO of NetSupport.
“In addition, technology purchases should be made with clearly established objectives,” Kingsley added. “The fact that respondents suggested that teachers, IT staff, and school leaders shared roughly the same amount of responsibility tells me that there may be some confusion about who is responsible for such decisions. “There is less confusion about responsibilities when the purchasing decision is based on clearly established objectives.”
Material from a press release was used in this report.
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