Grunwald Associates who conduct research surveys published a report last week regarding Pre-K teachers’ use of the digital media. I found the information very interesting and felt you would too. For the first time, this survey group surveyed Pre-K teachers. The survey reflects the views of 1,418 fulltime classroom teachers (1,212 K-12 public school teachers and 206 Pre-K teachers in public and private schools). The sample size included teachers in urban, suburban, and rural regions and in districts of all sizes.
Some of the findings are:
- The use of digital media in the classroom by Pre-K teachers is not as common as it is among K-12 teachers. Only one-third (33%) reported use.
- Only one-third (36 percent) of Pre-K teachers have computers with internet access in their classrooms. However, 8 out of 10 (81 percent) K-12 have computer and internet access in their classrooms.
- Twenty-nine percent of the Pre-K teachers are far less likely to rely on the internet for content. When they do they are searching for games and activities to use in the classroom.
- As a whole, Pre-K teachers agree that digital media is more effective when it is integrated into instruction.
From this survey, it appears there is a digital divide among the America’s teachers as well. To view the report in its entirety, go to http://www.grunwald.com/pdfs/Educators-Technology-21stCentury-Skills.pdf