NetDay Announces Results
of Teacher Speak Up Day;
BellSouth and NEA Partnered on Survey of How Teachers are Using
Technology |
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 22, 2004 – NetDay,
in partnership with BellSouth and the National Education Association
(NEA), today will release the results of the first-ever Speak Up
Day for Teachers, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The results will also be presented tomorrow to policymakers and
educators during a Capitol Hill briefing hosted by Senator Michael
Enzi (R-WY) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).
NetDay, with support from BellSouth, hosted Speak Up Day for Teachers
- a nationwide online survey which gave teachers in all grades
and subjects the opportunity to share their voices and views about
their personal and professional use of technology and the Internet.
More than 11,000 teachers from 1,885 schools in 50 states completed
the online survey.
The survey found teachers are using technology to enrich their
lessons 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.
- 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.”
Key Findings
- Most popular benefits of technology
cited by teachers:
- Lesson plans that are richer because of Internet information
- Students who are more engaged in learning
- Increased ability to meet the varying needs of students
- Teachers are relying
more on technology to meet the stringent requirements of No Child Left Behind.
- Older teachers are just as comfortable using technology as
younger teachers.
- 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
- Obstacles
most cited by teachers include inadequate pre-service training,
lack of time in the school day to most effectively use
technology, and school district firewalls and filters that limit
access to valuable online educational resources.
- 49 percent of
those surveyed reported technology has the greatest impact on
teaching and instructional support, with communications
second at 24 percent.
- 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.
“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 decision-making to bring computers into the classroom. And
we know from our own research and experiences that educators must
be involved in this planning.”
Highlights By the Numbers
- 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 school-related computer work is their classroom computer,
25 percent 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.
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 Tech-Savvy Student, is available on www.netday.org.
The 2nd Annual Speak Up Day for Students is scheduled for Oct.
20 with the survey open for submission Oct. 11 – 29, 2004.
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 (www.NetDay.org), the national 501.c.3
non-profit organization known for its successful school wiring
programs, today manages community and web-based programs that promote
enhanced student achievement through the effective use of technology.
Speak Up Day is NetDay’s latest initiative and focuses awareness
on the importance of student and teacher voices in the national
dialogue on education and technology.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation 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 www.bellsouth.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
949.609.4660
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