Digital Technologies Around the World

This study discusses how digital technologies have spread rapidly in much of the world. Digital dividends—that is, the broader development benefits from using these technologies—have lagged behind. In many instances, digital technologies have boosted growth, expanded opportunities, and improved service delivery. Yet their aggregate impact has fallen short and is unevenly distributed. The study states that for digital technologies to benefit everyone everywhere it requires closing the remaining digital divide, especially in internet access. But greater digital adoption will not be enough. To get the most out of the digital revolution, countries also need to work on the “analog complements”—by strengthening regulations that ensure competition among businesses, by adapting workers’ skills to the demands of the new economy, and by ensuring that institutions are accountable.

World Bank Group (2016). World development report 2016: Digital dividends. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group.

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/23347/9781464806711.pdf

Increase in Digital Technology Use in Classrooms

According to a recent survey by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), over half of educators expressed confidence in using digital technology in their classrooms. Technology's impact on K–12 classrooms continues to accelerate,” said Rose Else-Mitchell, executive vice president of professional services at HMH, in a prepared statement. “Although educators have increased confidence in their ability to implement digital resources and tools, the HMH ‘2017 Educator Confidence Report’ reveals they are still searching for opportunities to deepen their competencies, especially around the use of formative data, to enhance blended teaching and learning.” Improvements to the field of technology will only serve to benefit students and educators as the rate of implementation of digital technology into the classrooms continues to grow as time goes on.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2017). 2017 Educator Confidence Report. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. http://www.hmhco.com/media-center/press-releases/2017/july/2017-educator-confidence-report