What K-12 Students are Saying about Technology and Learning
At the recent EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) 2007 conference, Julie Evans - CEO of Project Tomorrow/ NetDay noted in a national study of K-12 students and their use of technology, preliminary findings suggest (a) social computing is the #1 use for technology, (b) self-directed learning is on the rise, (c) their is a continued disconnect between schools and adults, and (d) technology sophistication is observed in the youngest of learners.
Results from this study indicate that 94% of users are connected to the Internet and over 40% have cell phones. The top 4 uses of technology for schoolwork were found for research, keyboarding, presentations, and taking tests. Using the internet "provided extra help in a subject area", especially in math and foreign language. The top uses of technology use outside of school were identified as email, instant messaging, games, music, and visiting social networking sites. Evans noted that there is a growing "spectrum of digital nativeness" among these users. For more information, visit http://www.netday.org/speakup