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Students Technology Usage


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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.
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