Digital Literacy | Cisco International Education Survey: World Education Leaders See Increasing Role for Technology to Transform Learning

“More than three-quarters of top education officials around the world believe technology can play a major role in how students learn and how teachers educate, according to a global survey commissioned by Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and conducted by Clarus Research Group, a Washington, D.C.-based research firm.

Telephone interviews were conducted with 500 education administrators and information technology decision-makers in 14 countries on five continents. The countries surveyed were Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. One half of the survey respondents were K-12 school officials, and half were college and university officials.”

Key points

More than three-quarters of top education officials around the world believe technology can play a major role in how students learn and how teachers educate

Critical Teaching and Learning Issues

The survey shows that educators across the globe see three critical learning issues:

• Preparing students to compete in a global economy and helping to ensure their employability after graduation were cited by 83 percent of respondents as key concerns. Today’s students need a core school program that prepares them to engage in an increasingly connected ecosystem, requiring an understanding of how to use technology to compete effectively and become productive members of tomorrow’s workforce.
• Most educators, 85 percent, see technology playing a “large role” in how students learn. They also cited the impact technology can have in encouraging student engagement and participation.
• The need for programs and curriculum that enable students to develop skills in team and project-based learning was noted by 86 percent of the educators. Improved communications with parents, faculty and staff is considered critical.

Importance of Key Technology Issues

• Internet abuse, collaboration, and cybersecurity are top technology issues.
• Educators rated protecting students from Internet abuse very high; close behind were using technologies to collaborate better, developing stronger cybersecurity on campus, and using technology to reduce administrative expenses.
• Increasing efficiency, using more video, and broadening data-driven assessments were also highly rated.
• The survey revealed that educators also see technology as a means to “do more with less” and to become more efficient. They are also aggressive with plans to implement more video and embed the technology and media in the learning process. They are also seeking more impact from investments in data-driven assessments and decision-making systems.
• College officials across the globe want expanded online international education.
• Looking ahead five years, 65 percent of the college and university officials surveyed say online international programs are a “major opportunity” for them, as those can result in a greater “virtual” student body and can enrich learning opportunities by diversifying faculty, students and expert viewpoints.

via Cisco Announces Results of International Education Survey: World Education Leaders See Increasing Role for Technology to Transform Learning.