Two New MDR Research Reports from the EdNET K-12 Market Series Reveals Rapid Changes in Educational Technology and the Relationship between K-12 Educators and the Education Industry

SHELTON, Conn., Feb. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Two new MDR research reports from the EdNET State of the K-12 Market Report Series focus on current developments in U.S. public education from two perspectives: district-level technology directors and classroom teachers.

Based on national educator surveys conducted by MDR, both reports combine external research findings and relevant market data to offer a wealth of practical, actionable advice for providers of education products and services. These reports also describe various aspects of K-12 education with commentaries about issues and trends impacting the industry.

Educational Technology Trends includes comprehensive information about today's K-12 technology landscape, as well as data on district technology priorities and budget forecasts for hardware, software, teacher training, and tech support. Findings address the context of rapidly changing technology (including instructional content, delivery devices, and enterprise management systems); innovative pedagogy; and external influences (e.g., statewide online assessments, increasing student data privacy and security concerns.)

Classroom Trends—Teachers as Buyers of Instructional Materials and Users of Technology describes the types of materials teachers purchase for their classrooms, the factors that are important in deciding what to buy, and how teachers find—and create their own—instructional materials. It also covers technology in their classrooms, digital instructional materials (valued features, and roadblocks,) and challenges in using apps.

Anne Wujcik, Education Research Analyst, says, "While there are no easy answers to the challenges schools face as they move from one-size-fits-all solutions to the more adaptive and personalized instruction that technology enables, these reports, in data and commentary, will assist industry executives to identify significant issues and options to address them. Both reports confirm that schools are firmly on the path to digital conversion, resulting in shifts in the traditional relationships between educators and education companies. Professionals engaged in K-12 strategic planning, product development, marketing and sales, and other business functions should have these reports on hand."

The 124-page Educational Technology Trends, which includes extensive appendices, was written by Anne Wujcik, MDR; Neal Goff, Egremont Associates; and Paula Maylahn, Education Consultant. The 82-page Classroom Trends was written by Marci Goldberg, K-12 Market Advisors.

From data reported in Educational Technology Trends:

• Over two-fifths of districts expect hardware and software budgets to increase (44% and 42% respectively) in 2016-2017.
• The most widely-used classroom technologies are standard projectors (in 73% of districts), interactive whiteboards (64%), and document cameras (60%).
• The most widely-used personal computing devices are laptops (in 62% of districts), Chromebooks (43%), and tablets (37%).

From data reported in Classroom Trends:

• In aggregate, teachers spend an estimated $1.75 billion each year on instructional materials and school supplies from school-provided classroom budgets or out-of-pocket funds.
• Teachers spend 7 hours per week searching for instructional resources (both free and paid-for) and another 5 hours per week creating their own instructional materials.
• Instructional materials used most frequently come from teachers or staff at their school (66%), followed by commercial materials provided by the school (51%).

Order these reports and other investigative K-12 research at MDR Research Reports. 1-800-333-8802. [email protected]

About MDR
MDR is an integrated marketing services agency with unique digital, creative, and branding capabilities. MDR leads the industry in helping clients achieve their business goals by connecting with targeted audiences through research and market intelligence, a world class school database and these multi-channel digital communities: WeAreTeachers, WeAreParents, Schooldata.com, and EdNET.

About EdNET Insight
EdNET Insight is the education industry's trusted source for information about the state of the K-12 market and the game-changing trends that impact educators and administrators, and the companies and organizations that serve them.

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SOURCE MDR