Publishing forecast firm Simba Information revealed interactive whiteboards (IWBs) were used in 29.5% of K-12 classrooms for at least 5.1 hours a day. In a recent report by the publisher, IWBs were found to have the most penetration of any recent tech device, with an average usage of over 70% in all major subject areas in elementary schools.
IWBs were reported to have had a significant impact on student achievement by 60.7% of respondents in an MCH Strategic Data survey. According to the report, almost as many teachers reported using IWBs for more than 5.1 hours a day as those who reported using them for less than 3 hours a day. "The biggest difference between our 2009 study and this report is the increased use of technology in the classroom," said Kathy Mickey, senior analyst for Simba Information. "It's becoming a norm that devices are used throughout the school day."
IWBs are being used in all major subject areas, with the highest use in mathematics followed by reading/ELA, according to the report. IWBs are the leading new device and have become a tool for connecting educators to other new devices, such as clickers, tablets, smartphones, MP3 players and others. They are followed by desktop computers, laptops and projectors which have been around in schools much longer.
The Simba Information report, "K-12 Tech Tools and Trends 2012," is built around an MCH Strategic Data survey sent out to school district educators, administrators and technology directors who are responsible for implementing technology in the classroom. The report covers a plethora of devices, including interactive whiteboards, projectors, document cameras, desktop computers, laptop/netbook computers, tablet computers/iPads, eReaders, MP3 players/iPods, smartphones and student response systems/clickers. It reveals which technology tools are being deployed in the classroom, how much time is spent using them, and where the digital curriculum being used comes from. It also gives an insider's look at the funding environment and the factors influencing purchasing decisions.
