Does the use of technology lead to better education?
A recent study commissioned by Microsoft found that 88% of Canadian teachers and 80% of parents agree with the use of technology in the classroom. 68% said they use Microsoft Office as one of their key classroom tools to best equip their students for life after graduation.
According to the study, both teachers and parents say they believe that the future of Canadian education depends on how well technology is integrated into the classroom.
Eighty-four per cent of teachers reported that the use of tech leads to higher student engagement with lesson plans while 78 per cent of teachers agree that students learn more effectively when it is integrated within the lesson.
Tools used in the classroom include:
- 68 per cent use Microsoft Office
- 67 per cent use video
- 33 per cent use gaming
- 32 per cent use social networking
However, the majority of teachers, 67 per cent, find it difficult to stay on top of the latest technology, and only 56 per cent feel they are adequately trained.
Meanwhile, at home, 40 per cent of teachers say students do not have sufficient access. Both parents and teachers ranked greater access to devices as the top way in which schools can improve the quality education – more than 80 per cent of grade 3 to 8 teachers assign homework requiring access to a device, and 70 per cent require access to productivity software.