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

Officials from the U.S. Department of Education and Health and Human Services are conducting “listen and learn” tours in four cities. The first one kicked off last month in Washington, D.C. What was interesting from this first tour was the concept of PreK-3rd, not just solely Pre-K. At this meeting, PreK to third grade research and strategies were shared. Cognitive development research and remarks from elementary principals and Superintendent Weast of Montgomery County Public Schools shared their experience with a PreK-3rd approach for children. Discussion favoring data systems to “keep track of children’s progress” starting in prekindergarten were part of the remarks given by the attendees.

You may go to www.ed.gov and find the webcast of the presentations. In the search box, type ‘Listening and Learning Tour.’