Mining PEW #2

 Purcell, Kristen. (2013, February 28). How Teachers are using technology at home and in their classrooms. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeachersandTechnologywithmethodology_PDF.pdf. 

How Teachers are using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms

A survey was conducted in which Advanced Placement and National Writing Project teachers (2,462) showed that digital tools are widely used in their classrooms and daily lives. This survey was conducted between March 7-April 23, 2012. The AP and NWP teachers are from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Digital technologies have helped their middle and high school students in many ways, yet they have experienced some challenges with the Internet, mobile phones, and social media. Many teachers report that technology is more evident in wealthier school districts than in poorer  school districts.  Even in the small city I live in, this can be seen with the school districts. The richer district provides better technology opportunities for students and teachers. About 5% of students don't have access Internet at home. About 75% of teachers say that these new digital tools have added more demand on their lives because they need to keep up with what's trending in the digital world. This same percentage of teachers, feel that they have to compete with the new generation of teachers that are more tech savvy. A 41% of teachers say that digital tools require more work in order to be effective teachers.  As a teacher, as part of our professional evaluation is the use of technology. Administrators want teacher to be tech savvy, yet they don't provide them with any type of training. I feel confident on my use of technology because of this course that I'm taking at SHSU. I'm taking what I'm learning and applying it in my classroom with great success! Digital tools in the classroom are mainly used for research. About 73% of students are allowed by their teachers to use their mobile phones in the classroom to complete research projects and submit assignments. Many teachers are collaborating with their students through wikis, online discussions, and google docs. Students work can be submitted online. 

          The Internet and digital tools are beneficial to teachers in preparing their lesson plans and networking with other professionals in their field. It keeps them updated with new developments in their field. They also find content and lesson plans that will engage their students. Creating booktrailers with Animoto before reading a class novel, is a great way to get the students engaged. Learning how to Podcast and using podcasting tools with students to extend on a lesson is a another great way to engage students with digital tools. The AP and NWP teachers that were surveyed outpaced the general adult population in almost all measures of personal technology use. They own a smart phone, e-readers, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. A 42% of these AP and NWP still feel that their students know more about technology than they do. About 13% of these teachers feel that they know more technology than their students. In the elementary level, I feel confident in teaching technology to my students because I feel I know more than they do but, I don't know how I would feel in a classroom of high school students. Networking with others on digital technology to keep up with the technological trends is the key to maintain your tech savvy status.

  (108 pages)