Look, But Don't Touch: Student Access to Classroom Technology Limited, According to CDW-G Study
High Schools are Missing Opportunities to Help Students Develop 21st-Century Skills and Prepare for College and Beyond

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Annual Conference, DENVER – June 28, 2010 – CDW Government LLC (CDW-G), a leading source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to educators and government, today announced the results of the 2010 21st-Century Classroom Report, a national survey of more than 1,000 high school students, faculty and IT staff members to understand how students and faculty are using technology. CDW-G found that just 8 percent of high school teachers said that technology is fully integrated into the classroom; and the technology that is available is primarily used by teachers and not students. As a result, 43 percent of students said they are not – or they are unsure if they are – prepared to use technology in higher education or the workforce.

"A decade into this century, the door to 21st-century skills remains locked for many students," said Bob Kirby, vice president K-12 education, CDW-G. "Today's students need an interactive learning environment in which the technologies that they use outside of school are integrated into the curriculum. With that in mind, districts need to focus on providing a hands-on technology experience that translates to students' futures, whether in higher education or the workforce."

While high school IT professionals provide support for technology such as wireless Internet access, student computing devices, interactive whiteboards and even virtual learning, less than half of faculty members are designing lesson plans that enable students to use technology in class, and just 26 percent of students report they are encouraged to use technology throughout the school day.

Nearly all students (96 percent) said they use technology at home to complete class assignments. However, lack of technology integration means most students are "powering down" in high school, even though 84 percent believe technology is an important educational tool.

Why the student and faculty/IT disconnect? CDW-G found that it comes down to a lack of understanding. Less than half (47 percent) of high school students say their high school understands how they want to use technology as a learning tool. Comparatively, 67 percent of IT professionals believe their district understands how students want to use technology. At the same time, 71 percent of faculty said they are not incorporating guidance from their department on how to provide technology-rich assignments.

Other key findings of the CDW-G 21st-Century Classroom Report include:

• Faculty and students are using next-generation technology (e.g., MP3 players, smartphones, blogs and podcasts) in their personal lives, but it is not widely adopted in the classroom
• Digital content use, including online textbooks, e-text and open source content, is on the rise with 42 percent of faculty and 33 percent of students reporting that they use it as an educational tool. Additionally, digital content ranks as a top three choice among students when asked which technology tool would be most useful to their education
• The technology gap may continue to widen, as 59 percent of IT professionals report that their high schools' technology needs to be refreshed, is aging or is in the dark ages. Just 10 percent of IT professionals report that their IT budgets will increase in the coming school year

In order to successfully prepare students for their future, the 21st-Century Classroom Report recommends that districts:

• Understand student needs: Just one-third of students say their high school seeks student input on classroom technology. Consider using the 21st-Century Classroom survey tool to get an accurate picture of student, faculty and IT staff needs. Use the results to discuss 21st-century skills with students to determine what technology they find most beneficial and seek guidance on how to effectively incorporate technology into the curriculum
• Improve faculty resources: Districts should bring together faculty and IT staff to discuss must-have resources and implement professional development that aligns and reinforces the district's technology plan
• Look to the future: Focus on professional development and 21st-century skills to create a curriculum and classroom environment that promotes learning and seamless technology integration. Consider how today's students learn and how to bring their native technology into the classroom

For more information on the 21st-Century Classroom Report and to download the complete study, please visit www.cdwg.com/21stCenturyClassroomReport.

About CDW-G
A wholly owned subsidiary of CDW LLC, ranked No. 41 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies, CDW Government LLC (CDW-G) is a leading provider of technology solutions for federal, state and local government agencies, as well as educational institutions at all levels. The company features dedicated account managers who help customers choose the right technology products and services to meet their needs. The company's technology specialists and engineers offer expertise in designing customized solutions, while its advanced technology engineers can assist customers with the implementation and long-term management of those solutions. Areas of focus include notebooks, desktops, printers, servers and storage, unified communications, security, wireless, power and cooling, networking, software licensing and mobility solutions.

For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1.800.808.4239, email cdwgsales@cdwg.com or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.