“One of the trends we think is coming is [a shift in] hardware–we see a reduction in the dependency of desktops, [with students] moving to mobile devices like notebooks or netbooks, and we think that’s key,” said Ed Zaiontz, executive director of information services for Texas’ Round Rock Independent School District, near Austin.
“Moving to a netbook is one-third of the cost of a notebook computer, so we can provide three netbooks for the cost of a single notebook. That’s going to be a key trend,” he said.
Despite budget concerns, the majority of school leaders said they would purchase desktops, laptops, or notebook computers and IWBs within the next year.
When making a purchasing decision, 70 percent of respondents said competitive pricing is the most important factor. Sixty-five percent said their decision is influenced by the availability of state or federal funding to purchase the product in question.
eBook popularity is growing, with 71 percent of educators reporting that they either have eBooks and would like to use them more extensively, or that they would like to implement them.
That figure is certainly another indicator of the building momentum for eBooks, but Brantley cautioned against extrapolating that to eBook reader devices, because the devices are still relatively new–and different, more inexpensive models are sure to become available in the next few months.
Eighty-four percent of respondents said they have five or fewer computers in their classrooms, and here’s another notable statistic: Only 32 percent said educators in their district feel adequately prepared to use technology to instruct students.
“The takeaway is that teachers still need more training, preferably [during] teacher preparation courses, in how to integrate technology into instruction,” Brantley said.
Links:
K-12 Technology Tools and Trends 2009
- Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
- In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success - March 5, 2026
- AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace? - January 2, 2026