Read the summary (only) of report focusing on Home Broadband Adoption 2011
http://pewinternet.org/Trend-Data/Home-Broadband-Adoption.aspx
In the comments section of this posting, include three findings that are important for teachers.
You are encouraged to read (and post comments on) other scholars' comments.
1 lots of people use the internet
ReplyDeleteSixty percent of adults (most parents) have high speed internet in their homes. Therefore, more than half of students have internet access in their home. While using technology effectively in the classroom, teachers are also showing students how to find information and further students' self-education.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to teachers that although about 1/2 of adults, and even students, have internet access in their homes, there are still about 1/2 that don't and that must be taken into account when creating assignments. In addition, in the past 10 years, dial-up and broadband have completely flip-flopped (i.e. Dial-up was the majority of internet access in 2000, and in 2010 it is broadband).
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at the demographics of internet usage we can see that that the younger a person is the higher his/her usage is. A little over 70% of American adults have internet connection. 93% of American teens use the internet. Students could benefit from web based education since they are already heavy users.
ReplyDeleteAs Krystal mentioned, it is important to note that while households that have internet access is increasing over time, there are still around 40% of homes in the US that do not have internet access. Despite this, up to 95% of young people under the age of 29 are on the internet. Whether they have access at home, school, a library, or in a friend or family member's home, students are finding a way to get onto the internet. Their social lives are beginning to take place on line. As teachers, we would benefit our students by creating lessons that help students use the internet for practical and educational purposes.
ReplyDeleteAlthough 60% of adults have Internet access we still need to keep in mine those that do not. We need to make our lessons in the class practical and useful to students to prepare them for the future. This is also a reminder to never assume that every child has access to the Internet or knows how to use it well.
ReplyDeleteWith the significant rise in broadband connection it is easy to see that more individuals are connecting to the internet at home. For teachers this means that students will have access to more resources that may be helpful with curriculum and daily lessons. It also means that parents will be able to play a more active part in tracking their students progress by connecting with the teacher through the internet. Despite the increase in broadband connection it is important for teachers to remember that not all households have internet access.
ReplyDeleteYes, as many of you have said that with 60% of adults having broadband connection at home, then their children would have access to it, too. However, for those children that don't have access to broadband connection at home, then teachers could provide opportunities for children to check out computers to take home that would allow them to access the Internet, too. Providing classroom work time and/or working in partners or small groups to complete assignments are other options for students. I think students enjoy learning new skills. Therefore, if we show them educational tools at school and have them practice it, then they will be more likely to use those items at home.
ReplyDeleteI am going to echo the common theme of many previous posts regarding concern for those who do not have internet access at home. An important observation from the data shows that in 2011, for the first time since data collection began in 2000, there was a decrease the percentages of both dial-up and broadband connection. This could be a result of current economic difficulties faced by families, and as teachers, we should not assume that all of our students' families can provide for them the tools and technology they would like for their children. Therefore, we should provide an alternative means of obtaining access to technology. If our schools can afford to loan that technology to students, it would be great; however, I find it difficult to believe that the majority of school could fund such an effort.
ReplyDeleteClearly, internet usage is tied to income, location, and ethnicity. One of the first things to do is assess your students' access. Even if they don't have broadband connections at home, they might have a smart phone or other way to get online. If only a portion of your student population has easy out-of-school access then it is necessary to swap class vs. home technology use. Use it in class, where all students are to some extent equal, and have homework non-technology based. It is also important (and this is from personal experience) to expect things to go wrong when technology must be used. If the network goes down in a neighborhood it will be difficult for students to get their work done, and as teachers it may be hard to verify that sort of problem.
ReplyDeleteBoth Broadband and Dial up peaked between 2008 and 2010 and both began to decline in 2011. I guess that's because of the economy. What surprises me is that dial up has remained on top all this time. I'm surprised because I think Broadband offers a much faster connection.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Sue Ellen's comment. Although all of my 8th graders have a laptop through a 1-1 initiative, many of them do not have the wireless capability at home. I swap my class vs. home technology use quite a bit. Much of the "home" work I give is worksheets and other consumables, whereas classwork tends to be more technology based. Even with that, there are problems with my school's internet. When 34+ students try to get on the internet at one time, it becomes very slow and frustrating. More and more stuff for parents is going online and schools need to find a way for the parents who do not have access to get the information easily and efficiently.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the majority of the above comments. Teachers must utilize the internet and harness it for optimal educational progress. It is true that not all students have access/can afford the opportunity of broadband connection, but you will be hard pressed to find students without smartphones. I think it critical in the next two-three years to find innovative ways to incorporate broadband technology using MCDs especially cellphones.
ReplyDeleteI have many students that do not have access to the internet, so as everyone says, it is important to keep in mind that while over half of the homes in the US have access to home internet and realize this when determining practicality of internet/technologically based homework assignments. That being said, the percentage of smart phone users continues to go up and the "non smart" phones are being phased out, so a lack of home broadband does not mean a student would completely lack access to the internet. I think the idea of using more traditional homework and incorporating technology while in the classroom is great, as it doesn't leave any student unable to do the assignment and provides opportunities for those students without access at home to develop skills and experience with technology required in the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteI think my concerns lay as the 'gatekeeper' of info. From a social studies/history perspective, there is so much new information and false/misleading information as to cloud the truth as it happened, much less why. Even the history channel runs shows about ancient aliens. Narrowing down what sites are reputable and/or can be used for class work, outside of class is paramount in keeping honest academic pursuit away from crackpot sites and half-baked theories.
ReplyDeleteLooking at this data, I see that they are only looking at home computer access to the internet. A growing trend today is to have internet access in your pocket at all times via a smart phone device or a personal music device (like an iPod). I think it would be interesting to see the data comparing home computer access to the internet and personal device access to the internet. I was also more interested in the data which said that in 2009, 93% of American teens used the internet. This is compared to 78% of American adults in 2011 who used the internet. I found that data of utmost interest. For teachers who actively use technology in the classroom, I think it is very important for communication to take place between parents and teachers. Especially when that difference between teen internet usage and parent internet usage exists.
ReplyDeleteWhile the majority of households have access to the Internet, there is still a sizeable percentage of households who do not have access. Keeping this in mind, we as teachers should adjust our teaching strategies so that all students in our classes have the opportunity to learn the skills they will need in order to be successful in an information driven world.
ReplyDeleteFirst, if 40 percent of students do not have home Internet access, then all the more reason schools need to provide students with access to digital tools and resources, ensuring a more equitable education. Second, if 40 percent of students learn Internet use in schools, then educational institutions can use this opportunity to teach a large number individuals responsible use and website evaluation. Third, if 40 percent of students are not using 21st century resources at home, then schools need to provide an opportunity for such students to practice these skills in school.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but wonder if the information is applicable to our students since it is a national phone survey of only 2,270 individuals. The stats are not broken into regional subgroups. Is there a difference in usage between people in different areas of the us. Also income is only telling when one compares it to the cost of living in any area. 75K a year is less impressive in New York than in Omaha. Of those individuals all were above the age of 18 which means that none of those interviewed are the age of our students. I am always a little suspect of data and am particularly critical of its validity.
ReplyDeleteMost of the comments have already stated the essential information-- 60% of adults have access to the internet and access increases among teens. This is important for teachers because it is essential that we use the internet in our classrooms. Those who do not have access are at a distinct disadvantage in this technology-laden world, so it is important as an educational system that we provide the skills and resources for all students. Students need to practice these skills and it is up to teachers to help in this process. The key is to give students enough time and guidance to complete assignments that use the internet, and to not assume that they will be able to complete assignments as skillfully as you would think given the wide range of access.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the concerns others have posted about how only about 60% of homes surveyed have broadband use and that leaves 40% without but the data shows that another 10% have dialup access so that leaves only 30% all people polled without any access. The numbers seem to be going steadily up. I think it is essential to provide access at school especially for those who do not have it at home, and I feel that there may be more students who while they may have access this study does not show whether they are allowed to use it. While it was not part of the assignment I took a look at the data for teens and about 93% of teens that were polled use the internet in some way and not too shocking at least 11% of them use a mobile device for access. I think that the numbers will continue to increase with smartphones becoming more available, but we need to focus on devoting time to model how to use the internet effectively to support educational goals, and safety. Most kids use the internet frequently, but mostly to play games and keep in touch with friends. We need to help them get the most of the technology that is at their fingertips.
ReplyDeleteI found the decrease in the numbers from May 2010 to May 2011 interesting. This chart does not explain the decrease. What are some possible explanations for the decrease? Some individuals may not be able to justify having internet access at home when they can access what they need via a mobile device, iPad, etc. Many believe or have been led to believe that internet access at home benefits our lifestyles - that would be the 60%. However, how do we as educators address the group who does not embrace the use of the internet in the home? Also, the chart reflects the percentage of adults who access the internet at home. We should not assume this means that 60% of students in our classrooms have access.
ReplyDeleteUpon looking at the data, I am curious as to the reason that both dial-up and broadband connectivity have decreased over the past two years. Another question I would ask is, "Does smart-phone access to the internet count as "broadband" or not?" As a teacher, my plans and teaching would most be affected by this in that not all of my students are sure to have the same level of access, or even access at all, to the internet at home. That would give me some degree of pause before I would give an out-of-class assignment that required the use of the internet.
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