And the survey says...

As part of this study, I recently surveyed 89 eighth graders at Sun Valley Middle School in Indian Trail, NC about their usage of technology and their thoughts on the 1:1  initiative being introduced at their school.

Below is a short summary of a few of the survey findings:

• 88% own their own cell phone and 86% use text messaging on a regular basis
• 79% play video games and 31% play for more than 5 hours per week
• 65% use a computer for more than 5 hours per week outside of school
• 94% use a computer to complete homework assignments, 79% visit social networking sites, 36% Skype family and friends, 19% visit chat forums and 65% use email services
• 88% would like to take part in a 1:1 initiative
• 72% would prefer to use an iPad over a laptop
• 70% believe that we do not use enough technology in school and only 4% believe we use too much
• 74% believe they would learn at a faster rate if teachers used more technology in class and only 4.5% believed their learning rate would slow down
• 92% prefer to use a computer to write a paper instead of paper and pencil