NetDay,
The survey found teachers are using technology to enrich their lesson plans and to engage students in learning. Results also revealed that teachers are relying more and more on technology to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind.
«What we found during Speak Up Day for Teachers is that technology is really taking hold in America’s classrooms and teachers are increasingly more comfortable using it to deliver lessons,» said Julie Evans, CEO, NetDay. «However, teachers also told us that, with technology becoming as commonplace in schools as chalkboards, they need better training and a greater voice in technology decisions.» NetDay and BellSouth had three goals for Speak Up Day for Teachers: To collect national data about how teachers feel about using the Internet and technology in their professional and personal life. Key Findings «The National Education Association is pleased to join NetDay in presenting the ideas, concerns and optimism of America’s teachers as they advance the use of technology in their classrooms,» said NEA President Reg Weaver. «Teachers are telling us that they want to be involved in all stages of the Highlights By the Numbers 2nd Annual Speak Up Day for Students — October 11 Speak Up Day for Teachers builds upon the success of Speak Up Day for Students 2003, where more than 210,000 students went online and shared their views on technology use. NetDay’s National Report on Speak up Day for Students 2003, Voices and View from Today’s About NetDay NetDay’s mission is to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. NetDay ( About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS — News) is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and a parent company of Cingular Wireless, the nation’s second largest wireless voice and data provider. Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers®, residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial up and high speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular® Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth® RealPages.com® and The Real Yellow Pages®. More information about BellSouth can be found at
To raise awareness about the importance of teacher voice as a stakeholder in technology decisions.
To shape conversations at the local school level about the role of technology in learning with input from students through the first Speak Up Day and from teachers.
«We are proud to participate in this important initiative that will impact the national dialogue on education and technology,» said Kim Mulkey, technology director, BellSouth Foundation. «Technology is transforming education as we know it. As that occurs, it’s critical that the teachers’ views are captured to ensure meaningful, relevant uses for technology in the classroom.»
1. Most popular benefits of technology cited by teachers:
2. Teachers are relying more on technology to meet the stringent
requirements of No Child Left Behind.
3. Older teachers are just as comfortable using technology as younger
teachers.
4. Teachers have definite opinions on technology use and want to be more
involved in discussions of how technology is used in their schools.
Additional Findings
1. Obstacles most cited by teachers include inadequate
technology, and school district firewalls and filters that limit
access to valuable online educational resources.
2. 49 percent of those surveyed reported technology has the greatest
impact on teaching and instructional support, with communications
second at 24 percent.
3. Teachers’ use of technology, views on obstacles and their aspirations
for technology match the students’ responses. Today’s teachers use a
desktop computer and cell phone most frequently, tap into email and
Internet search engines when online, are concerned about the lack of
time during the school day to use technology, and envision fast,
wireless access throughout their own future designed schools.
The nation’s largest teachers’ organization, the National Education Association (NEA), partnered in Speak Up Day for Teachers.
— 78 percent of teachers cite the vital role of technology in meeting
state and federal requirements.
— 87 percent of teachers rank technology as important or very important
to their professional responsibilities.
— Teacher Uses of Technology (ranked)
1. Communications with colleagues,
2. Word processing tasks (tests, handouts),
3. Communications with administrators,
4. Record management,
5. Doing research for their students.
— 75 percent of teachers feel strongly that their work conditions mostly
encourage technology use.
— While 68 percent of teachers reported their primary location for doing
said that they spend 50 percent or more of their home computer time on
school related work averaging 1–5 hours per week.
«Together we can ensure that school technology policies will strengthen existing curricula, support meaningful learning for all students, and guarantee that technology and teacher training will be adequately supported,» continued Weaver. "NEA members believe that all students, regardless of economic background or community must gain access to technology and to the educators trained to help students learn it. With this advancement of technology in our schools, our children will enrich their lives, expand academic opportunities, and gain critical workforce skills in this global economy.