Google’s Chrome OS is spreading throughout U.S. classrooms and is becoming an increasingly popular choice for computers, while Apple’s iOS platform holds the lead on mobile devices, according to a new survey from game-based learning provider Kahoot!.
Chrome OS accounted for 58 percent of the computer market in U.S. K-12 education in the first quarter of 2017, and iOS claimed 73 percent of the mobile market–up from 70 percent in 2016. iOS also dominates tablets, claiming 96 percent of the market.
The Kahoot! EdTrends Report found that Google Classroom/G Suite is the most popular productivity suite in U.S. classrooms, and in fact, surveyed educators said improving student productivity is their biggest incentive to adopt classroom technology.
Teachers’ top ed-tech priorities are to improve student learning and outcomes, to motivate students and to encourage more engagement in class.
“Kids are at the center of who we are and what we do,” said Sean Gaillard, principal of Lexington Middle School in North Carolina, in the survye. “How is this best serving kids? Is this going to be inspirational to students? It’s not about the tool; it’s about the approach and how to harness it in an innovative, positive school environment.”
Nearly 60 percent of surveyed educators said they also hope to provide authentic context and connect students’ everyday lives with classroom learning.
Schools said they expect to see an increased use of digital platforms for teaching, learning and assessment, along with more personalized learning, in the coming school year. About 30 percent of surveyed educators said they also expect to see an increase in an emphasis on computational thinking, coding and robotics.
Tablet use experienced a slight decline, though, dropping 5 percentage points in the first quarter. Mobile use dropped 2 percent, while computer use increased to 46 percent–a 6 percent jump from last year.
Despite clear-cut goals for technology and knowledge of the benefits associated with classroom tech tools, public schools still struggle with budget restraints and lack of resources, which they named as their top challenge. Lack of training to understand new technology, and using technology only for technology’s sake, are other top challenges.
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