Educational Technology Research

Stats that Stand Out & What That Means For Education

Recently, technology has been at the forefront of my thoughts when thinking about education and the future of education.  Technology has opened up many doors when it comes to teaching.  It gives students a voice, it gives students resources, it gives students an opportunity to connect, and it gives students another domain to learn.  

Here is a crazy thought, but......BOOKS, yes books, used to provide the same thing!  

Photo Source (also a related article): Neat Today

This week I was given the resources to find statistics involving Educational Technology Research, and the statistics that I found were not only shocking, but also provided large implications to the future of teaching.  The resource that I used is called Project Tomorrow Speak Up. Click here to be directed to the website. This report is a great tool for educators because it gathers data directly related to technology in education, and creates graphics to connect similar statistics.  The stats used in this blog post all come from Project Tomorrow's info graphic titled "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About K-12 Students' Digital Learning." Below are statistics that I found interesting taken from the info graphic.

Did you know.............

• 77% of 6-8th graders and 90% of 9-12th grade students use YOUTUBE to learn how to do things?  That is mind blowing to me!  Students have access to so many different "how tos" how do they know which one is correct?  Is this a trial by error type of learning?  Do they ever realize if they are doing something incorrect, or do they believe everything they see on Youtube?
• Only 42% of students report knowing how to detect bias, opinion and fact in what they are reading..WHAT!  Somewhere my fifth grade teacher is cringing because of this statistic!  Is this because they assume everything is fact?  Is this because there are so many different research domains?  Do they know how to search an online library?
• Insert positive stat!  54% of students say that digital learning helps them get better grades, 53% say that it helps them learn at their own pace, and 50% say that it increases creativity into their work.  The teacher in me wishes that these numbers were higher in the creativity and own pace stat, but this is a great start!  This, in my opinion is the benefit to tech in the classroom.

Image Source: Speak Up

What Does This Mean For Education in MY Eyes

Still undecided, and I think that is okay! I have such a contradicting view of technology, so bear with me.  With my background in disability awareness, behavior management, and inclusion I have a different technological lens depending on the population that I am working with, which is definitely a bias that I need to work through.  I LOVE technology in the classroom.  I think it opens so many doors and opportunities for learners..as long as it is done correctly.  It also increases connection, and lets different types of learners thrive in the same environment.  Like anything technology needs to be taught.  The statistic that states 42% of students know how to find the correct information scares me, because to me, that is not technology being taught or used correctly.  It is our responsibility to teach our students how to find the information and what is correct information to open those doors.  Another statistic that is alarming is that 77% of 6-8th graders and 90% of 9-12th grade students use YOUTUBE to learn how to do things?  One side of me thinks that this is a great use of technology and the other half of me thinks that this is alarming.  However, I did have a professor at the graduate level tell me, "I don't know how to explain this assessment to you, so youtube it."  It did help, but I am used to having things explained verbally or in writing.  I can see providing students with several different explanations depending on their learning style.  This is something that technology allows.  Every learning style can be met through some form of technology and I love that.  I think that when taught and implemented correctly technology can be a powerful tool in the classroom.  Ready for another contradiction?  When taught and implemented correctly a pencil and paper can also be a powerful tool in the classroom. Click here for an interesting article from EdUtopia on this topic.  

To Conclude: I am still working through my technological abilities, opinions, and apps in education...one statistic at a time.

Recreate to Educate Plug: 

Technology in Therapeutic Recreation vs. Technology in Special Education?

I see a direct connection.  Technology in Therapeutic Recreation and in Special Education is used to make sure that everyone can be included in a certain task.  Since this post is about smart devices used in the classroom I will draw a connection with smart devices in recreation (there are MANY more connections, for a later blog post :)).  Think about it; what does an Ipad in a classroom have in common with an Ipad in a Teen Club Recreation program? My answer to that question? A LOT!  It allows for communication, it allows for connectivity, it allows for independence, it allows for learning, and it creates a safer environment where everyone can work and play side by side.  

Comments:

• What are your opinions on technology in education?  
• What statistics drive your use of technology in the classroom?