BOSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Teacher
optimism has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, according to new
research out today from learning technology company
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH). In its 2021 Educator
Confidence Report, an annual barometer, now in its seventh year,
for how educators on the front lines in schools across the country
are feeling about the state of teaching and learning, only 38
percent of educators reported a somewhat or very positive view of
the state of their profession – down from 49 percent in 2020. Even
more, 37 percent of educators reported thinking the pandemic would
increase respect for teachers this year, a significant decrease
from 63 percent in 2020.
Still, while teachers are navigating the challenges spurred by
the pandemic, the report also reveals rising confidence in mastery
and benefit of learning technologies and an unwavering commitment
to student well-being.
Educational Technology: From Promise to Proof
HMH's research, conducted in May with YouGov, surveyed more
than 1,200 K-12 classroom teachers and 150+ administrators,
and found an increase in teachers feeling very or extremely
confident using educational technology in 2021 (66 percent),
compared to 50 percent in 2020, likely due to the well-documented
increase in day-to-day use of technology to connect students and
teachers regardless of learning environment.
Now that teachers have the confidence to use previously new and
intimidating technologies, there is consensus that these pain
points of the past year have a bright side, as 77 percent believe
technology will help them be better teachers post-pandemic.
Additionally, 56 percent of educators reported the improved ability
of students to access instructional content anytime, anywhere,
reinforcing the value of technology for K-12 education, and giving
educators and parents alike the peace of mind that progress is
being made regardless of how and where the student is engaging.
"We've entered a new era where edtech's potential has been
unlocked at an exponential rate over the past year," said Jack
Lynch, CEO of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "The future of the
classroom is high-tech and high-touch. We have an opportunity to
experience the 'best of both worlds'—to continue to use technology
purposefully, for differentiated instruction, workflow, practice
and more, while also benefiting from the social gathering provided
by school communities and that is so critical to student
well-being."
Emotional Well-being of Students is Top Concern
In light of the emotional and mental strain students have faced
over the past year of schooling, the majority of teachers (58
percent) are concerned that students will have increased
social-emotional issues going into the fall.
However, there is agreement that by acknowledging and
incorporating strategies to address social-emotional challenges,
educators can get students back on track. Not only do 56 percent of
educators believe resources to support SEL in the classroom will be
most critical post-pandemic, but 82 percent agree that a
well-crafted, fully integrated SEL approach makes an impact on
outcomes.
"For the third straight year, we've seen SEL as a top priority
for teachers, likely in anticipation that more students will have
more critical needs in this area," said Francie Alexander, Chief Research Officer at
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "Teachers are already hard at work
finding solutions and developing strategies that will address
student well-being."
The Classroom of the Future: A New Era
There are lessons to be learned from the past year of teaching,
and the classroom that students and teachers return to this fall
will not be the same as how they left it. 96 percent of teachers
think teaching and learning will be at least modestly changed
compared to before the COVID-19 crisis— 55 percent think these
changes will be significant. Which begs the question: How will it
be transformed?
Online assessments will likely become a more widespread tool, as
73 percent of teachers reported using them this year, up from 49
percent in 2020. Additionally, we can expect a rise in the number
of educators who prefer digital materials; digital versions of
print materials (43 percent) and videos (40 percent) were the most
effective digital materials teachers reported using.
Additional key findings from the seventh annual Educator
Confidence Report include:
- When it comes to returning to in-person instruction,
teachers are most looking forward to the intangible aspects of
being in a classroom with students. 81 percent of teachers
reported most looking forward to interacting with students
face-to-face, while 74 percent are looking forward to more student
engagement and 64 percent to student collaboration
opportunities.
- Many teachers expressed the need for greater compassion from
parents. When asked what they need most from students'
families, 34 percent say they need acknowledgement that they are
doing their best, while another 31 percent say they need more
understanding from parents that the priority is their child.
- Teachers agree that digital platforms and tools enable them
to do their job better. But how? There is a close tie
amongst respondents, with 43 percent reporting it allows them to
streamline assessment and 42 percent saying digital platforms and
tools enable them to communicate more effectively with
students.
- According to teachers, the top three things that would
transform learning and teaching in the future are:
-
- Customized learning for every student that zeros in on what a
student knows and what they need to learn next (80 percent)
- Technology solutions that connect instruction, including
supplemental and remediation, and assessment on one platform (75
percent)
- Greater investment in closing disparity issues (56
percent)
- Almost 7 in 10 teachers reported that targeted instructional
materials or resources would be the most helpful in addressing
learning gaps from an interrupted school year. Meanwhile, a
majority of teachers also believe that tutoring (57 percent) and
supplemental resources (54 percent) will be helpful in tackling
disruptions from the past year.
About the Educator Confidence Report
The Educator
Confidence Report is an annual independent study, distributed
to a diverse national cross section. The seventh annual survey
content was crafted and analyzed by learning company HMH and
YouGov. YouGov programmed and hosted the survey with sample sourced
from MDR's (Market Data Retrieval®) educator database. The
administrative group included school principals, superintendents,
curriculum heads and chief technology and chief information
officers. Teachers from across the K-12 spectrum completed the
survey. Math, science, social studies, English language arts and
literacy, in addition to general classroom teachers were
represented.
Learn more about the 2021 Educator Confidence
Report here.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt (NASDAQ: HMHC) is a learning technology company
committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners,
empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading
provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention
solutions and professional learning services, HMH partners with
educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock
students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities. HMH serves
more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in 150
countries. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.
Follow HMH on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
and YouTube.
CONTACT
Media Relations
Bianca Olson
SVP, Corporate Affairs
617-351-3841
Bianca.Olson@hmhco.com
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SOURCE Houghton Mifflin Harcourt