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This blog is dedicated to the topics of Course materials, Innovation, and Technology in Education. it is intended as an information source for the college store industry, or anyone interested in how course materials are changing. Suggestions for discussion topics or news stories are welcome.

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Friday, July 9, 2010

Study finds K-20 institutions are embracing technology and e-learning slowly but steadily

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has released the results of its Spring 2010 SIIA Vision K-20 Survey. The SIIA vision is based on the belief that every K-20 institution should have an instructional and institutional framework that embraces technology and e-learning. Educators participating in the survey were asked to answer 20 benchmark statements to indicate their progress toward the SIIA measures and goals. The measures consist of: 21st century tools, anytime/anywhere access, differentiated learning, assessment tools, and enterprise support. While the goals include: meet the needs of all students; support accountability and inform instruction; deepen learning and motivate students; facilitate communication, connectivity and collaboration; manage the education enterprise effectively and economically; enable students to learn from any place at any time; and nurture creativity and self-expression.

The survey was completed by 647 educators and showed that K-20 institutions are moving towards SIIA’s vision but the progress is slow. The average score for the 20 benchmark statements was 62% which represents a small increase over the scores reported in 2009 (61.8%) and 2008 (60.9%). As indicated in past surveys, postsecondary institutions are farther ahead than K-12 schools in almost every category. Overall, the two benchmarks with the highest level of achievement were: security tools to protect student data and privacy, and the availability of high-speed broadband access for robust communication, administrative, and instructional needs.