The National Center for Educational Statistics has released a new study summarizing teacher use of computers and the Internet. The data for this study were gathered in the Spring of 1999. The study indicates 99% of teachers report they have access to computers in their schools.

Here are two trends highlighted in the preliminary report of the data:

1) The SES of the student body is related to how frequently teachers assign specific activities. In the following chart, note the one obvious reversal in the trend of more frequent use in schools with fewer low SES students.

2) Teacher Training is Important - The amount of professional development teachers receive relates to how frequently they engage their students with technology supported learning activities.

These might be described as "correlational" findings. Two variables (training and student use) appear to be related, but the causal relationship among the variables is not certain. While it is probable more training leads to more classroom use, it is possible teachers less interested in using technology in their classrooms also pursue fewer professional development opportunities.

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