Pew Internet & American Life Project
How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms
by Kristen Purcell, Alan Heaps, Judy Buchanan, Linda Friedrich

A survey of teachers who instruct American middle and secondary school students finds that digital technologies have become central to their teaching and professionalisation. At the same time, the internet, mobile phones, and social media have brought new challenges to teachers, and they report striking differences in access to the latest digital technologies between lower and higher income students and school districts.

Asked about the impact of the internet and digital tools in their role as middle and high school educators, these teachers say the following about the overall impact on their teaching and their classroom work:

  • 92% of these teachers say the internet has a “major impact” on their ability to access content, resources, and materials for their teaching
  • 69% say the internet has a “major impact” on their ability to share ideas with other teachers
  • 67% say the internet has a “major impact” on their ability to interact with parents and 57% say it has had such an impact on enabling their interaction with students

The full report can be downloaded from the Pew Internet & American Life Project