Teachers and administrators actively using AI
reveal how it’s changing teaching methods, student learning, and
school and district efficiency, shining a light on how classrooms
are evolving
Today, Cambium Learning Group, the education essentials company,
released survey findings on the state of artificial intelligence
(AI) usage in K-12 schools and its impact on the experiences and
futures of education professionals. Cambium’s 2024 K-12 Educator +
AI Survey explores how AI is being implemented in schools today by
teachers and district administrators who are already actively using
it, revealing that more than half are leveraging AI to improve
learning experiences and outcomes for students.
The state of K-12 education has reached an inflection point. AI
has emerged as a versatile tool brimming with potential to support
the evolving needs of teachers, students, and schools. To better
understand how AI is being used by educators today, its impact and
opportunity, and what this means for the future of education,
Cambium commissioned Hanover Research to survey K-12 teachers and
district administrators across the U.S. who are actively using AI
in classroom settings. The survey results shine a light on how AI
and technology are innovating student learning, classroom, school
and district efficiency, and the teacher experience.
Key findings from the 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey
include:
Teachers are using AI to personalize and improve student
learning, not just run classrooms more efficiently, but challenges
remain
Teachers report using AI to help run their classrooms more
efficiently, with just under half of surveyed respondents using AI
for proofreading writing (47%) or lesson planning (44%).
Additionally, teachers and administrators see AI as a path to more
personalized student experiences and improved learning. More than
half report they are leveraging AI to create personalized learning
experiences for students (56%), provide real-time performance
tracking and feedback (52%), and to help students with critical
thinking skills (50%). Outside of the classroom, administrators
report using AI to improve administrative efficiency, including to
interpret/analyze student data (61%), manage student records (56%),
and manage professional development (56%).
The use of AI within the education sector isn’t without its
challenges. When ranking the top three barriers to AI adoption in
education settings, surveyed teachers and administrators identified
the following: data privacy and security, insufficient training for
teachers on how to use AI, and uncertainty about the efficacy of AI
in improving student outcomes. Additional barriers identified
include concerns about the ethical use of generative AI, limited
access to reliable internet for all students, and lack of technical
support for AI implementation and maintenance. While 80% of
administrators believe that a candidate's technical skills are
highly important in the hiring process, this has presented
challenges as well. In the face of staffing shortages,
administrators most frequently cite lack of technology skills among
teachers as a difficulty in hiring (38%).
While post-pandemic challenges persist, the increased use of
technology is viewed positively by most teachers and
administrators
While technology adoption accelerated during the pandemic,
student learning loss resulting from the pandemic, staffing
shortages, and insufficient mental health and well-being support
for students and staff are making it even more challenging for
teachers to feel successful. Cambium’s survey reinforced the
inherent difficulty of being a teacher right now – with 37%
agreeing their job is harder than it was before the COVID-19
pandemic.
Yet, despite the challenges, there is optimism as well. Perhaps
surprisingly, the majority of teachers surveyed (87%) plan to stay
in their profession. Further, the 37% of teachers who believe their
job is easier post-pandemic ranked increased use of technology to
streamline tasks (43%) and increased use of technology to
personalize student learning (40%) as top contributors, and
technology usage in classrooms is viewed positively by 81% of
teachers. The increased use of technology in the classroom is also
seen by administrators (72%) as a key way to attract more teachers
to the profession.
As the use of AI and advanced technology grows, the education
professions continues to evolve
This surge of innovation has given rise to new demands, skills,
and potential risks. In response, schools are introducing new
requirements and opportunities to help prepare, support, secure,
and equip education professionals with the tools they need. More
than half of surveyed administrators and teachers confirmed they
are now required to complete EdTech and cybersecurity training as
part of their professional development. Additionally, 20% of
surveyed respondents said their schools/districts have created new
job positions such as Educational Technology Specialist, Technology
Teacher, AI Education Researcher, Education Data Analyst, AI
Development Expert, AI Strategic Scientist, and EdTech
Consultant.
“We are at a pivotal moment in education. AI has moved beyond a
theoretical opportunity or challenge; it’s no longer a question of
‘will we or won’t we.’ AI is not only here, but it is already being
used in U.S. K-12 schools and around the world,” said Ashley
Andersen Zantop, Chairman and CEO of Cambium Learning Group.
“Despite the varying challenges teachers, students, and school
faculty currently face, the K-12 community continues to innovate
and embrace new technology. As an EdTech organization serving more
than 30 million students and more than 2.7 million teachers, we
have a critical duty to operate as a worthy steward of our
community’s trust. We strive to remove barriers to opportunity by
supporting our students, educators and families with solutions and
thought leadership rooted in safe, responsible and effective use of
AI and other emerging technologies that empower the people we
serve.”
For more information, download the full 2024 K-12 Educator + AI
Survey.
Methodology
Cambium developed this report in coordination with Hanover
Research. The survey was designed to understand the use of AI among
K-12 administrators’ and teachers’ and their perceptions towards
the evolving state of education and the role of AI inside and
outside the classroom. The survey was fielded in January of 2024
and was cleaned and analyzed by Hanover Research. The study
consisted of 482 qualified responses. To qualify for the survey,
respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, work full-time or
part-time in the United States as a teacher or administrator in
K-12 education, be at least slightly familiar with the usage of AI
at their school/district, and work at a school/district that is
actively using AI in the classroom. The data was cut into cross
tabs by role, tenure, school level, and school district size, among
others. Hanover performed statistical analysis with a 95%
confidence level using Z-test and p=less than 0.05 and a margin
error of +/-4% for the overall sample size.
About Cambium Learning Group
Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company,
providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12
educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected
global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of
educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every
day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements
that are most essential to the success of education, delivering
simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference
right now.
To learn more, visit www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium
on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. The Cambium family of brands
includes: Cambium Assessment, Lexia, Learning A-Z, ExploreLearning,
and Time4Learning.
About Hanover Research
Founded in 2003, Hanover Research is a global research and
analytics firm that delivers market intelligence through a unique,
fixed-fee model to more than 1,000 clients. Headquartered in
Arlington, Virginia, Hanover employs high-caliber market
researchers, analysts, and account executives to provide a service
that is revolutionary in its combination of flexibility and
affordability. Hanover has been named a Top 50 Market Research Firm
by the American Marketing Association every year since 2015. To
learn more about Hanover Research, visit
www.hanoverresearch.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806020729/en/
Media John Jorgenson CMO, Cambium Learning Group
520.204.2452 / john.jorgenson@cambiumlearning.com