How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in ... - Prisa Digital

There are very few distinctions across different subgroups of AP and NWP teachers when it comes to
seeking out training in this area. Old and young, more and less experienced, and those teaching all
subjects and in all types of schools are equally likely to seek out learning opportunities for incorporating
digital tools into the learning process.
AP and NWP teachers most commonly rely on their own research and
experience when developing new ways of incorporating digital tools into the
classroom
When developing new ways of bringing digital tools into their classrooms, AP and NWP teachers most
often get ideas from their own research and experience. More than six in 10 say they “very often” (32%)
or “often” (31%) come up with ideas on their own. Colleagues are also a regular source for inspiration in
this area, with 17% saying they “very often” get ideas from other teachers and another 39% saying this
happens “often.” Ideas come less often from students or from formal or informal training.
In terms of where they get new ideas in this area, AP and NWP teachers are fairly consistent. The
youngest teachers are slightly more likely to “very often” draw on colleagues for ideas (22% of teachers
under age 35 do this), when compared with teachers ages 35-54 (16%) and teachers ages 55 and older
(13%). Otherwise, very few differences emerge across teacher subgroups.
As noted earlier, 42% of these teachers feel their students know more than they do about using new
digital technologies, thus one might expect students to be a significant source of inspiration in this area.
In focus groups with AP teachers, those who said they do get ideas from their students in this area
reported that it is not uncommon for students to suggest devices or tools to improve or simplify a task,
or to help teachers set up tech tools or assist teachers when using tech tools in the classroom. In
addition, some teachers said they often give their students the freedom to decide on their own how to
use digital technologies in completing projects.
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