Opportunity still exists for Canadian schools to leverage technology in the classroom

Forty-two per cent of schools in Canada have not adopted mobile learning in classrooms; tablets cited as the most desirable technology for teaching

ETOBICOKE, ON, Nov. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - CDW Canada, a leading provider of technology solutions for Canadian organizations in the public and private sectors, today revealed results from its Teaching with Technology survey, which found forty-two per cent of Canadian schools have not yet introduced mobile learning tools in classrooms. Sixty-nine per cent of educators surveyed also said that if they could introduce any new technology for their classrooms this year, it would be a tablet.

The survey, conducted from September to October 2013, asked educators from across Canada about their current and future technology use in the classroom.

While a number of schools still do not have mobile technologies in classrooms, of the 58 per cent of schools that do, technologies such as smartphones, e-readers, notebooks and printers have made a positive impact on classrooms and on students' learning experiences. When asked which new technologies educators would be most excited about introducing into their classrooms, sixty nine per cent identified tablets.

"The results of this survey reinforce the feedback we receive from educators and IT managers — bringing technology into the classroom is a great way to make learning more exciting and engaging for students," says Daniel Reio, Director of Marketing, CDW Canada. "Combining the right tools with a well thought out technology-based learning strategy makes all the difference in improved learning outcomes. CDW Canada's dedicated education account managers work closely with Canadian schools, school boards and educators to provide expertise and advice, to help them leverage the best technology."

Overall, the survey demonstrates technology's vital role in transforming student learning and empowering teachers to lead instructional innovation in their schools. An overwhelming 96 per cent of respondents said that technology has:

• improved student engagement (66 per cent)
• facilitated better learning (23 per cent)
• increased collaboration (7 per cent)

In addition, the results found a great acceptance of social media by educators across Canada, with 46 per cent reportedly using it in the classroom.

About CDW Canada
CDW Canada Inc. (http://www.cdw.ca/) is a leading provider of technology solutions for organizations in the public and private sectors. As a trusted advisor for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), CDW Canada provides a single destination for organizations to research, inquire or purchase virtually any technology solution that they require. Customers benefit from one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers who are backed by a team of highly certified IT specialists. Through successful partnerships with more than 350 leading technology manufacturers, CDW Canada draws from a comprehensive selection of 160,000 technology products to help customers find the best technology to meet their unique business needs. Headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario, CDW Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW Corporation, ranked No. 270 on the FORTUNE 500. In 2011, CDW Canada ranked #25 on Best Workplaces in Canada.

SOURCE: CDW Canada Inc.

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