A survey by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt found that 97% of
K-12 educators and school administrators used some kind of digital content and
more than 50% used apps, websites, and digital games in the classroom. The 2015
Educator Confidence Report also showed gaps in how teachers and administrators view
the way technology was being used.
For instance, 71% of the responding teachers said they
used free or open educational resources (OER) in their classrooms, while 87% of
the administrators thought OER content was being used. Teachers and
administrators also have different opinions on the use of online assessments
(42% of the teachers said they used the tools, compared to 66% of
administrators), learning management systems (36% vs. 64%), and adaptive
learning content (35% vs. 49%).
Most educators said technology improved student
engagement (66%) and provided students with better access to instructional
content (55%). A majority (58%) were also either “very” or “somewhat” concerned
about student privacy issues, according to the eSchool News report.
However, just 41% of those responding said they felt positive
about teaching and 23% of teachers with less than 10 years of experience said
they plan to leave the profession within five years.
“There is no denying that the education sector is
undergoing an exciting—and challenging—transformation,” HMH Chief Content
Officer Mary Cullinane said in a release.
“Understanding the views of the teachers who are navigating this transformation
is crucial. There is no one size fits all, which is why it is so important
educator voices are heard and their real needs understood.”
