Most teachers today view edtech as an essential part of an increasingly digital classroom, and a new report from Common Sense sheds light on the role these edtech tools play in teaching and learning.
Today, edtech tools are ubiquitous, and the rise of personal devices and anytime, anywhere access have changed how we consume and create. The Common Sense Census: Inside the 21st-Century Classroom looks at how K-12 educators have adapted to these critical shifts in schools and society.
From the benefits of teaching lifelong digital citizenship skills to the challenges of preparing students to critically evaluate online information, Educators surveyed in the report share their perspectives on what it’s like to teach in a digital classroom and in the fast-changing digital world beyond.
Twelve observations about today’s digital classroom
1. Digital citizenship is being taught in a majority of schools. Roughly 60 percent of K-12 teachers use some kind of digital citizenship curriculum or resource with students, and about 70 percent teach at least one type of digital citizenship competency. The most common topics are digital drama, cyberbullying, hate speech, and privacy and safety.
Related: 5 doable digital citizenship goals for teachers
2. Teachers believe digital citizenship is effective in helping students make smart, safe, and ethical decisions online. Most teachers (91 percent) who have used digital citizenship curriculum say it is at least moderately effective.
About the Author:
Laura Ascione
Laura Ascione is the Managing Editor, Content Services at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Find Laura on Twitter: @eSN_Laura
