Eight-in-ten principals report that digital technologies are having a positive impact on student achievement, according to the latest research results from the ‘Digital Technologies in Schools’ survey, prepared by Research New Zealand for the 20/20 Trust.

A special supplement in the latest INTERFACE Magazine is a summary report card on selected key results from the 2016/17 survey.

The framework used for the survey is based on the key elements of future-focused learning environments, including planning for digital technologies, digital tools for learning, teacher confidence in managing digital classrooms and integration of digital resources with the curriculum. The survey also obtains feedback from principals on learning impacts and barriers to use.

So, how future-focused is your school?

How do you rate in terms of tackling these new challenges? Compare your school with this report card, which represents the average for all schools. If you score in the green zones, you are up with the leaders and understand well the benefits and opportunities for your students. If you are scoring in the orange zone, you clearly know where you want to be and are working hard to get there. However, if you are scoring in the red zones, you might want to consult with other schools in your area about how to lift your game.

Solway School wins Chromebooks in survey

Congratulations to Solway School in Masterton, which has won 10 Acer Chromebooks in a prize draw for schools that completed the 2016/17 Digital Technologies in Schools survey. It was drawn at random from the 464 schools that completed the survey, managed by the 20/20 Trust.

The stud y has been carried out every two years since 1992 to monitor how schools are deploying and using digital technologies. A special focus of the 2016/17 survey has been on future-focused learning. The survey offers a useful benchmark for schools to compare their digital learning environments and also provides a trusted basis for policy development by the Ministry of Education.

Assistant Principal, Steve Hornby, said the school was delighted to receive the Chromebooks.

“I’m so pleased I filled in the survey,” he said. “Technology plays a big part in our learning programmes. The Year 5 /6 classes already use Chromebooks, but it’s a challenge when we only have one computer for every three students. The new Chromebooks will be a huge boost for them.”

Download the summary

The results of the digital technologies survey are published this month, with a copy of the final report being sent to every school. You can download a copy of the summary here: Digital Technologies in Schools 2017_report

Sponsors of the 2016/17 survey are InternetNZ, Microsoft, 2degrees, NetSafe, Research NZ and the Ministry of Education, as well as the 20 /20 Trust.

Find out more about the 2020 Trust and its work at 2020.org.nz