Study: These factors retard digital teaching

"What's holding back the digital curriculum? A lot of things: too few classroom computers, poorly conceived professional development, and a lack of time to research and plan--to name three big factors, according to a new report from the nonprofit Education Development Center (EDC).

The study, "Effective Access: Teachers' Use of Digital Resources in STEM Teaching," examines how high school teachers use digital libraries and other electronic resources to support "science, technology, engineering, and mathematics" (STEM) exploration and instruction.

Despite the recent progress touted by some policy makers--progress some are using to justify cuts in ed-tech spending--EDC researchers found that schools still lack the appropriate infrastructure to integrate the full-scale use of digital materials into the classroom, and teachers do not receive the proper training to make full use of available classroom technologies. "Effective Access" also says most teachers don't have the time to properly research and plan the use of digital curricula.

The study asserts that STEM teachers want web-based materials that save time and energy, such as easy-to-use search engines; the ability to easily determine the validity of digital resources; web sites that are easier to navigate; interoperability of digital resources in the multiple-platform environment of most schools; and materials that illustrate real-world applications of STEM concepts...."