Aussie parents waste billions on devices that don't help children's schooling
That's according to new research from Student Edge (commisioned by Microsoft), which surveyed 1,000 parents of school-aged children and 1,000 students.
The survey found many Australian parents were confused about what technology they should buy to help children with their schooling, with half of parents stating that schools provide little guidance of what device to buy.
The study reveals that 75 per cent of parents are spending up to $1,000 on devices, and more than half are willing to replace these devices every two to three years.
A quarter of parents have admitted to buying the wrong device for their child at some point.
This means Aussie parents are potentially wasting billions of dollars on the wrong devices for children over their school life. The findings also show 70 per cent of parents want to relinquish their decision making power when it comes to choosing devices.
While 35 per cent of parents let their child decide which device to buy, because they know which one will be best for their needs.
Design, Learn, Empower senior education consultant, Pip Cleaves, said technology innovation in schools could be incredibly beneficial, but the wrong devices could hinder a student's growth and development. "In this day and age, technology is now firmly integrated within Australian classrooms, and having the right technology is critical in enabling students to keep up with the curriculum being taught," Cleaves said.
"However, it's also critical that each device is fully compatible and the student can access specific programs, otherwise they risk falling behind the rest of the class." Microsoft Australia education product manager, Jane Mackarell, parents felt overwhelmed about the decision at hand.
Read more:Autodesk gives schools $25 million in free software
"Replacing a device every two to three years can be a stressful and costly affair," she said.
"Schools need to be clear on what each device must be capable of, while parents should self-educate on what new technology is available to them, and they'll be rewarded in the long run."
Read More: