More than half of American adults have used the Internet for personal learning, but only 16 percent have taken an online course in the past 12 months, according to the Digital Readiness Gaps report.
Released last week, the report is based on a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in association with Princeton Data Source and the Princeton Survey Research Associates International.
The report takes a look at digital readiness, which is based on three factors:
- Digital skills: ability to work online, browse and share content online
- Trust: whether the information found on line is trustworthy
- Use of digital tools: while completing online tasks
In addition, the report explores how adults struggle or succeed in using digital tools for learning, solving problems, and making decisions, focusing on:
- Confidence in using computers
- Ability to get new technology to work
- Use of digital tools for learning
- Ability to determine the trustworthiness of online information
- Familiarity with education technology terms
Conducted from October 13 to November 15, 2015, the survey was based on phone (landline and cell) interviews of 2,752 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Cluster Analysis
Using a statistical technique called cluster analysis, placing people in groups based on similar answers to questions, the survey revealed five distinct groups along the spectrum of digital readiness.
From least prepared to most prepared, adults lined up into the following groups:
- The Unprepared: 14 percent
- Traditional Learners: 5 percent
- The Reluctant: 33 percent
- Cautious Clickers: 31 percent
- Digitally Ready: 17 percent
Key Takeaways
- 54% of internet and smartphone users said they are very confident in using computers and other electronic devices to do things they need to do online
- 23 percent of American adults find it difficult to know whether the information they find online is trustworthy
- Of the 16 percent of adults who have taken an online course, 24 percent have a fast Internet connection while 21 percent are library users
- Few adults are familiar with education technology terms, 43 percent have never heard of Common Core Standards, while 61 percent have heard little or know nothing about distance learning. Only 19 percent of adults had heard of the Khan Academy. Almost 70 percent have never heard of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).
- 32 percent of adults who are familiar with an education technology term have taken an online course
- 74 percent of adults completed one personal learning activity in the past year
- 58 percent of those surveyed said they like to look for new opportunities to grow as a person
- Age and education might influence a person using digital tools in learning, but digital skills and trust in online information also may play a role
My Thoughts
I was intrigued when the report was released and spent a lot of time reviewing the survey results.
I wanted to learn more about the demographics, get a better understanding of who was digitally ready, and learn who was actively involved with online learning.
What I learned: American adults are spread across a wide range when it comes to digital knowledge and readiness.
And when it comes to digital readiness, there’s a lot of room to grow for the majority of Americans.
American adults love their digital devices and computers to help them get work done but are concerned about the trustworthiness of the content they find online.
And they’re reluctant to take online courses. That’s one area that took me by surprise; I assumed the numbers would be higher for people taking online courses.
With my K-12 and higher education work experience, I also assumed more people would be familiar with education technology terms.
I was wrong. A reminder that you should never assume.
One other item that surprised me: only half the people in the survey had visited a library in the past year.
I encourage you to read the report summary for more details about digital readiness gaps in America.
