The public is keeping abreast with the technology changes. More than ever, individuals value the importance of technology changes in education. Take a look at the following releases of public and student opinion on technology and education:

Public Opinion

In a January, 1995 survey by Microsoft/Intelliquest, public opinion recognizes the importance of:

• 89% of parents (84% of general population) believe computer skills are important to educational success.
• 86% of computer-using children believe computers skills are important to getting good grades in school.
• 92% of children think computer skills will help them earn higher salaries in future jobs.
• 77% of teachers (67% of general public) think computers help each child learn at his/her own pace.
• 61% of American (56% of teachers) believe that computers help develop kids’ creativity.

Student Opinion

In a once-per-decade poll of teens about school, the National Association of Secondary School Principals found the following (Education Daily, August 19, 1996):

• In 1974 and 1983, math and English ranked as the most important courses offered in school. Computer use barely made the list.
• In 1996, student ranked computer use and programming a close third in importance to math and English. 96% of the student ranked math as very or fairly important, 93% ranked English as very or fairly important and 92% ranked computer use and programming as very or fairly important.

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