A recent CompTIA national survey revealed that students are beginning to notice how effective technology is as a learning aid, while also revealing that high-speed Internet is on the top of student’s wish list.

“Access to high-speed internet is among middle and high school students’ top technology preferences, according to a CompTIA national survey of students and educators,” reported Laura Devaney, Director of News for ESchoolNews. “Fifty-six percent of surveyed students said they’d like access to high-speed internet, 57 percent said they would like laptops, and 53 percent said tablets are a must-have.”

Devaney revealed that when the results are broken down by gender, male students preferred “high-speed internet and game-based learning simulations,” while female students opted for “tablets and mobile e-learning apps.

One of the more surprising statistics is that “9 percent of middle and high school students said that there is little or no technology used in their schools.” These statistics speak volumes when it comes to breaking down just how much educational institutions are putting into providing technology for their students.

As time goes on technology seems to get better making it important for students to understand how it can be used positively.

“Students are beginning to connect classroom learning with real-world outcomes and careers,” says Devaney, “with 92 percent of student respondents saying it is true technology teaches them skills they will use in the workforce.

Real world, useful applications are key to having students utilizing technology in a positive manner. If they can apply what they learn to the workforce chances are they are more likely to become successful in growing global and technological job market.

“Forty-four percent of surveyed educators said they currently use tablets, and 33 percent said they plan to purchase or upgrade their tablets,” reported Devaney. “Forty-two percent use game-based learning, and 22 percent said they plan to purchase or upgrade game-based learning tools or resources. Thirty-eight percent of educators use mobile apps for learning and 29 percent plan to purchase or upgrade mobile apps.”

Gaming based learning leaves more room for a student’s engagement in their education and a desire to want to learn more.

Technology is playing a large role in education and it is evident from the findings in the CompTIA national survey that children are welcoming it with open arms.

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Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor.