Critical insights reveal how edtech is
transforming the classroom; 81% of educators say we are now closer
to fully realizing the potential of technology in teaching
BOSTON, Aug. 18,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the 2022 Educator
Confidence Report, released today from learning technology company
HMH, confidence in the education profession has dropped for the
second year in a row. An annual barometer for how educators across
the country are feeling about the state of teaching and learning,
today's report found more than 3 in 4 (76%) educators feel
negatively about the state of the teaching profession in the U.S.
The Educator Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence (out
of 100), continues to drop and now sits at 40.0—its lowest in the
report's history—down from 42.7 in 2021 and 49.0 in 2020.
According to HMH's research, which surveyed more than 1,000
K-12 classroom teachers and 125+ administrators, educator retention
hinges on immediate needs more than long-term developments,
including improved salary and benefits, support for educator
well-being and adequate funding for the classroom. Conducted
between May and June in partnership with MarketCast, the
report revealed three major themes for achieving success in the
future: Connection, Community and Customization.
Connection: A Digital-First Era
When it comes to technology, educators see strong connections
between the teacher, student, classroom and home as the top
priority. Seventy-three percent of educators report feeling
technology is significantly more integrated into the classroom now
than pre-pandemic, with tools to communicate between teachers and
parents (63%) and tools that deliver interactive learning
opportunities to students (57%) most favored among teachers. Even
more, 68% of educators said edtech has become essential to the
classroom.
Importantly, survey results showed that educators realize the
potential in classroom technology and can visualize how it fits
into their workflow. 81% report the experiences of the last two
years have moved education closer to fully realizing the potential
of technology in teaching. Educators are most excited about
easy-to-use technology that can be used in-classroom and remotely
(63%).
"We believe that the future of learning will be powered to a
meaningful degree by technology yet centered on human connection,
and this year's survey data gives us clear insight into how to
realize that vision," said Jack Lynch, CEO of Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt. "Educators are telling us that today's status quo isn't
cutting it, but they also see a path to the future. Importantly,
that path relies on addressing basic needs like wellbeing and
mental health concerns, both for teachers and students, supported
by connected technology that allows educators and focus on what
matters most, human relationships."
Community: A Need for Broad Support
Educators report needing more consideration for their overall
wellbeing now, with 78% of educators stating that their top concern
is the mental health of their peers. The majority also need more
aid in the classroom, with 64% saying they need adequate funding
for classroom supplies and resources. According to today's
educators, improved salary and benefits (90%) and more support for
educator well-being (67%) would make the profession more appealing
to new educators.
"On top of concerns around student wellness and performance,
educators are increasingly worried about their peers," said
Francie Alexander, Chief Research
Officer at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "To nurture their needs, we
must invest in tools to help our educators make the connections
with their networks in ways that best serve them. Parents,
administrators, policymakers and community members are all needed
to support teachers and foster a new generation of educators."
Customization: Personalization for Students and
Educators
Data shows that educators believe the future of the classroom is
personalized—for both students and teachers, with
data-driven, personalized edtech solutions making it possible to
meet everyone where they are. 79% of educators say customized
learning based on what students know and what they need would most
transform learning and teaching in the future.
With pandemic-induced interrupted learning continuing to stay
top of mind in the classroom, educators said the top tools to aid
sustained learning recovery were targeted instructional materials
or resources (62%), followed by supplemental resources (55%). When
looking ahead, 65% of educators say technology solutions that
connect instruction—including supplemental and remediation work—and
assessment on one platform are will transform the next era of
education.
Additional key findings from the eighth annual Educator
Confidence Report include:
- Community support for teacher compensation is key for not
only retention, but for the future of the profession. Concerns
about teacher salaries are up 16% since 2020, and when looking
forward to the next school year, a higher salary would be most
motivating for educators, especially teachers (84%).
- Teachers are looking for more appreciation, respect and
"trust in their experience." When considering long-term
developments to support the profession, educators want increased
community support and engagement (52%) – as respect for the role of
the teacher is down 26% since 2020 and a strengthening of the
connection between families and schools has dipped 18% since
2020.
- Educator and student wellbeing emerges as a top theme coming
out of the pandemic. 61% of educators agree the most positive
thing to come out of pandemic-era schooling is the increased
attention paid to student social and emotional needs. For this
reason, there is a strong agreement around the need for
well-planned SEL programs (87%).
About the Educator Confidence Report
The Educator
Confidence Report is an annual independent study, distributed
to a diverse national cross section. The eighth annual Educator
Confidence Report, underwritten by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and
conducted between May-June 2022 with
MarketCast, surveyed more than 1,200 educators, including 1,058
teachers and 143 administrators.
Learn more about the 2022 Educator Confidence Report at
hmhco.com/ecr.
About HMH
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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 4 million educators in 150 countries. For more information,
visit www.hmhco.com
Follow HMH
on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
Katie Marshall
Communications Manager, HMH
Katie.Marshall@hmhco.com
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SOURCE Houghton Mifflin Harcourt