Elementary and middle school students use technology to play educational games more frequently than high school students, with nearly 60 percent of students in grades 3-5 students and slightly more than 50 percent of those in grades 6-8 participating in gaming, compared to roughly one-third of students in grades 9-12.
Mobile devices are on the rise, and the report reveals that middle and high school students’ access to personal tablets doubled from 2010 to 2011. Half of high school students, 37 percent of middle school students, and 21 percent of students in grades 3-5 have access to a smart phone.
Online learning
The report also reveals that students and parents support, and want more, online learning.
More than one-third of parents would support online learning to improve student performance. Twenty-seven percent of third through fifth graders, 47 percent of sixth through eighth graders, and 45 percent of nine through 12th graders said they have not taken an online course but would like to.
Fifty-two percent of students said online learning is an attractive option for them because they want to be in control of their own learning. The same number said they would be able to work at their own pace, and 50 percent said they would be able to receive extra help in a challenging subject.
Making the STEM connection
The survey asked middle and high school students to categorize their math and science classrooms, and three models emerged:
- Traditional class with teacher-directed instruction, such as lectures, textbook assignments, group projects, or labs (43 percent).
- Traditional class with teacher-directed instruction but with some technology used to support instruction (33 percent).
- Traditional class with a mix of teacher-directed instruction and student-directed learning, using technology to support both (9 percent).
Just 20 percent of students in a traditional classroom with minimal or no technology use show a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) careers. But students in classrooms where technology is used to support teachers and students show a greater interest, with 27 percent responding that they are strongly interested in STEM careers.
- 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
Comments are closed.