New ICTC Study shows Educators Widely Acknowledge the Value of ICT in the Classroom

Information and communications technology (ICT) is valued by educators in the classroom, but key challenges and issues needed to be resolved.

Ottawa, March 12^th, 2020—The growing presence of tech products and services in Canadian K-12 classrooms bolsters academic engagement by empowering students to learn in a manner that best suits individual styles and needs, provides unique opportunities to help reduce educational inequalities and achievement gaps while encouraging a shift in how students think, collaborate, and address problems.

These are some of the findings of a new Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) study: Class, Take Out Your Tablets: The Impact of Technology on Learning and Teaching in Canada.

Educators generally support the use of tech in the classroom and recognize that teaching digital skills and competencies is critical for students to successfully navigate an increasingly digital workplace. But the next generation of leaders will face complex global challenges and students will need to become more than mere users of technology. Tech-inspired design thinking, gamification and a facility with technologies such as Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality to create modular, adaptive, and scalable learning opportunities will shape new attitudes towards life-long education.

Class, Take Out Your Tablets explores this intersection between technology developments, the role and needs of educators in this technology-skills transfer, and student learning experiences. Through sixteen interviews with educators across Canada and a robust review of existing research, the study evaluates the increased presence of technology in the classroom and explores both the opportunities and challenges to more meaningful technology adoption.

The study details some of the stumbling points of tech in classrooms, such as its potential for student distraction through off-task usage, and unclear procurement practices to source technology, but it also discusses some of the solutions that have been effective in other jurisdictions.

“Technology is now a critical enabler of education, fostering stronger teacher and student connections, and offering expanded online tutoring and social interactions, among other benefits. Embracing innovative technology in learning is now paramount for preparing young Canadians for the evolving nature of learning and future work environment,” Namir Anani, ICTC President & CEO.

As a not-for-profit, national center of expertise, ICTC strengthens Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. Through trusted research, practical policy advice, and creative capacity-building programs, ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries enabled by innovative and diverse digital talent. In partnership with a vast network of industry leaders, academic partners, and policy makers from across Canada, ICTC has empowered a robust and inclusive digital economy for over 25 years.

For media inquiries or further information about Class, Take Out Your Tablets, please contact Paul Stastny at [email protected] or 403.351.0138 Ext. 823.

A copy of the study can be accessed here.

The study is also available in French.

Consultez l’étude ici.