Page 14 - spaces4learning, Fall 2020

Figure 8
TECHNOLOGY (HIGHER ED)
How much of a problem has home Internet access been for your students?
Not a problem at all
A minor problem...
A moderate problem...
A major problem...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Not a problem at all 12.75%
A minor problem affecting a small amount of students 50.98%
A moderate problem affecting a small but substantial percentage of students 27.45%
A major problem affecting a large percentage of students 8.82%
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CLASSROOM
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spaces4learning
READER SURVEY
spring, in both K–12 and higher educa- tion, respondents generally agreed that there will be a continued emphasis on online learning, continued social distanc- ing and ongoing rigorous cleaning pro- cedures.
By far, however, the most popular re- sponse to the question of what new proce- dures will be implemented in spring was “not sure.”
When asked what the most signif- icant challenges schools, colleges and universities still face, the most common responses across both K–12 and higher ed were:
• Shortage of teachers and staff;
• Class size;
• The inadequacy of remote learning ver-
sus face-to-face;
• Adherence to safety procedures, such as
wearing masks continually and main-
taining physical distance;
• Student disengagement with two com-
monly cited causes: the remote learning environment and, in
the case of in-person instruction, the wearing of masks; • Lack of funding; and
• Lack of leadership.
Several survey participants lamented the challenges of over- work and mental and physical strain in these circumstances. “Ed- ucators have put everything on the line,” one K-12 respondent said. “Our families, our mental and physical health ... have all been impacted. Many of us are so exhausted, beaten down and frustrated that we will leave the profession prematurely.”
Equitable access to technology was also widely cited as a major challenge by several respondents. “We wouldn’t be com- fortable teaching in school if one child is left in the hallway and can’t access the class, but when we go virtual there doesn’t seem to be the same urgency when students are locked out of classes due to lack of devices or not having the wherewithal to use the devices they have,” one K-12 respondent noted.
The keys to success this spring? According to many: bud- geting for additional technology, providing internet access for those who need it and providing training to faculty and staff in the technologies they need to deliver instruction in remote and hybrid learning environments.
Methodology
The survey was conducted among Spaces4Learning readers online over a three-week period in late October through early November. Two-hundred twenty-two surveys were completed — 104 from higher education, 118 from K–12.
David Nagel is Editorial Director of the Education Group at 1105 Media, which includes Spaces4Learning, THE Journal and Campus Technology magazines.
12 FALL 2020