Skip to main content

Students Technology Usage


Subscribe Free  Add to my Page


I created a questionnaire to explore the technological demographics of the students in my classes. Most of the students polled have access to computers at home. They all have computer access at school since they are taking a technology class.
The students found the following differences in the way they use technology at school and at home.
1. They almost unanimously said that they had more “freedom” at home since the school has filters and limits on what they are allowed to do.
2. They said they were limited as to the amount of time they were allowed on the computers and the Internet.
3. They said that they have faster methods of communications at home with more means of communication.
4. They said that they have faster computers at home.
5. They said they have to “sneak” to use their iPod or text on their cell phones at school, but at home it was allowed.
As to the amounts of time students used technology at home, I found that
1. Approximately half of the students surveyed watched TV 2 or more hours per day.
2. All of the students surveyed owned iPods or mp3 players.
3. Approximately half of the students surveyed spent over an hour listening to music on their iPod or Mp3 player daily.
4. 29/35 use a computer at home every day. (83%)
5. 21 out of 35 students use instant messaging daily. (60%)
6. 25/35 students use social networking websites daily. (71%)
7. 18/35 students spend 1 hour or less doing homework on their computers. (51%)
8. 22/35 students play online games (63%)
As to students’ use of technology at school, I concluded:
1. Students are not allowed to use some forms of technology due to restrictions and filters.
2. SMART Boards were the most popular form of technology used at school.
3. Students sometimes “sneak” to use their cell phones and mp3 players at school.
4. Some classes allow their students to use the internet for research and to view teacher’s websites.
On the whole, most of the students have access to a computer at home and use it for at least 1-2 hours every day. Students spend more time overall instant messaging and social networking than doing homework on their computers. Overall, the results of the survey conclude that students use more technology to communicate at home than at school.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Construction Zone?

I like using the constructivist theory in my classroom. Over the years, I have taught in several states and subject areas. I found a great “hands-on” or constructionist science curriculum that I could integrate with the one I was required to use. This curriculum is part of the Challenger Center program, http://www.challenger.org/. The point of each activity is to ask the students a key question, give them a materials list, and allow them to create an experiment or artifact that will answer the key question. My students loved this material, and their grades in my science class improved. I was surprised to see that their grades and problem-solving skills also improved in other classes as well. I currently teach computer literacy. I use a modified constructivist method in which I give students information, demonstrate the procedures, and then allow them to practice the skill on their own. This method can work with a technology class, as well as an academic area class. I love all the onli...
5 comments
Read more

Teaching 21st Century Skills

I recently visited http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/ . I found a lot of resources regarding what skills students should be taught in order to succeed in the 21st century. There were also several states listed that have initiatives to implement policies and standards that will ensure students are presented with opportunities to learn these skills. I liked the recent news events of businesses partnering with schools to help further the students' education, but I was disappointed that there were not more states or businesses listed. I was also looking for suggestions as to how to implement teaching these skills in my class, and did not find them. Did anyone else find good ideas here?
3 comments
Read more

My GAME Plan-Week 4

During week 4, I need to evaluate my Action Plan using the following questions. Are you finding the information and resources you need? I am doing well finding information. I make time to read educational technology (ed. Tech.) blogs and listen to ed. Tech. podcasts. I have also signed up for our school district's instructional fair technology classes. I plan to attend sessions on Web 2.0 tools that work within my school district's strict filtering policies. I also plan to attend sessions on using Ebooks, and creating a web 2.0 web site, using our district-provided software.   Do you need to modify your action plan?  So far, I do not need to modify my action plan. Things are going well. I even have colleagues who plan to attend the technology sessions with me. What have you learned so far?  I have learned that I am using some of the teaching and assessment methods about which I am reading. I am feeling good about being a self-motivated and self-directed lear...
5 comments
Read more