Most K-12 Teachers in America Would Not Give Themselves an “A” in Educational Technology Skills
Majority of teachers desire more technology training, finds
University of Phoenix national K-12 Teacher survey
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Technology continues to reshape the student experience and redefine the
way education and learning are delivered in classrooms, but many
teachers feel they are leaving opportunity on the table. More than half
(55 percent) of K-12 teachers use educational technology in the
classroom on a daily basis, with nine in ten saying they do so at least
weekly. However, two in five (43 percent) rate themselves average or
below average, and only 15 percent of K-12 teachers would give
themselves an “A” in educational technology skills1,
according to a recent University
of Phoenix® College of Education survey conducted online
by Harris Poll among 1,005 U.S. K-12 teachers.
It appears educators understand the need to improve their classroom tech
savvy, as more than half (51 percent) of K-12 teachers say they want to
learn more about integrating technology into the classroom2.
“Teachers are deliberate and thoughtful in their approach to student
learning, and with continuing advancements in technology, it can be
difficult for districts and teachers to determine the best way to
effectively use these tools,” said Kathy Cook, dean of educational
technology for University of Phoenix College of Education and former
K-12 educator. “The good news is that technology integration has become
a substantial component to teacher preparation and continuing education
programs for teachers3. Social media has also provided new
ways for teachers to share ideas for technology integration in
classrooms.”
How Teachers are Using Technology in the Classroom
Nearly eight in ten (78 percent) K-12 teachers have allowed students in
their classes to research subjects using the internet. As expected, high
school teachers are the most likely to encourage internet research (87
percent), but a substantial proportion (76 percent) of elementary school
teachers (1st – 5th grade) have also done so. More
than two-thirds (67 percent) of K-12 teachers have used games and
simulations to aid learning. Elementary school teachers are the most
likely to use this resource with 75 percent doing so.
Technology Resources Available in Today’s Schools
When asked what technology devices are used in today’s K-12 schools,
teachers most often cite the following:
- Laptop/Netbook computers (85 percent)
- Interactive white boards (75 percent)
- Tablet computers and/or eReaders (67 percent)
- LCD projectors (58 percent)
- Digital cameras (50 percent)
District or school funding is the main thing that keeps teachers from
using more technology in the classroom (39 percent), followed by not
being familiar or proficient enough with the tools that exist to
properly integrate them into the classroom (27 percent), and not having
time to learn about the tools available (21 percent).
“The first step to empowering our teachers to implement technology in
the classroom is to focus on the importance of pedagogy and find tools
that help support teaching and learning goals,” said Cook. “Learning
more about the latest tools and techniques being used to enhance and
improve student learning can help teachers become stewards of effective
EdTech use. Online resources can empower today’s educators to self-start
their digital and EdTech education to supplement school or
district-sponsored resources.”
Steps to Help Teachers Leverage EdTech Tools
As technology continues to advance and more ways to use it in the
classroom become available, Cook suggests the following steps to stay on
top of digital trends.
-
Build a foundation. Familiarize yourself with the tools that
exist. This will help you build a foundation to understand what
devices students are using. Having a starting point can help you
innovate ways to bring that technology into your classroom. -
Review technology standards and integration models. As the role
of the teacher continues to evolve with technological advancements, it
is important to incorporate experiences that are helping students
succeed in this environment. A great way to learn more is to
familiarize yourself with the ISTE
Standards for Teachers and Students, the SAMR
Model and the TPACK
Model, which help define what today’s teachers need to know to
connect with and enable student success in today’s digital landscape. -
Connect with your network. Connect with other teachers within
and outside of your district to see what tools they are incorporating
for learning. Be proactive in your approach to incorporating
technology for learning. For example, when you are working on a
specific project, create a plan and outcome, then think about what
channels you can use to execute your plan more effectively. -
Be innovative with your resources. For teachers looking to
integrate technology into the classroom, be creative with what you
use. Digital cameras, interactive white boards and video web tools are
a few you can use to get started. -
Continue to learn from the best. Your students have the pulse
on the latest advancements in technology. To spur critical thinking in
your classrooms, task them with coming up with innovative ways to use
tech in and outside of the classroom.
For general information about University of Phoenix programs, including
on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who
completed the program and other important information, please visit www.phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
1 Survey of 1,005 U.S. full-time employed K-12 teachers who
have at least an undergraduate degree conducted online within the United
States by Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix between April
14 and 25, 2016.
2 Ibid.
3 http://www.ed.gov/oii-news/use-technology-teaching-and-learning
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll
on behalf of University of Phoenix between April 14 and 25, 2016.
Respondents included 1,005 U.S. residents employed full-time as teachers
in grades K-12 who have at least an undergraduate degree. For complete
survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Amanda
Barchilon at Amanda.Barchilon@apollo.edu.
About University of Phoenix® College of Education
University of Phoenix College of Education has been educating teachers
and school administrators for more than 30 years. The College of
Education provides bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for
individuals who want to become teachers or current educators and
administrators seeking advanced degrees to strengthen their professional
knowledge. With education programs available throughout most of the
U.S., the College of Education has a distinct grasp of the national
education picture and priorities for teacher preparation. Faculty
members on average bring more than 17 years of professional experience
to the classroom. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/education.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults
move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive
learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal
aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo
Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL),
University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
Contacts
University of Phoenix
Amanda Barchilon, 602-557-8641
Amanda.Barchilon@apollo.edu
