97% of netTrekker Search users see positive impact on students; more that three-fourths rate as extremely valuable teaching resource. 

WOW - It's results like this that convince me that teaching with digital resources and tools means being more effective and more productive. As a former classroom teacher, I have used digital content and tools with a wide spectrum of learners and learning objectives - teaching "tradigitally" (traditional plus digital) has always made the grade!  But don't just take my word for it, check out what users of my favorite digital content and tools solution, netTrekker Search, have to say. 

As classrooms of the 21st century shift from print to digital content, netTrekker Search is emerging as one of the most valuable tools in the modern learning environment, according to survey results of the 2012 netTrekker Search Impact Study by Knovation. Most significantly, the survey reveals that 65% of current netTrekker Search users indicate that the tool has helped better engage their students, while 97% have seen a positive impact on students overall. In addition, 88% of current netTrekker Search users have recommended the tool to other educators, and more than three-fourths (77%) rate it as an extremely valuable teaching resource. netTrekker Search harnesses and curates more than 330,000 of the best educational resources from the web.

The survey results are based on the responses from 400 educators across the U.S. who have used netTrekker Search. Other noteworthy findings provide more insight into how the effective use of digital resources is impacting students and educators:

Broad spectrum of uses
The survey results reveal varying uses of digital content and tools, with nearly six out of 10 educators using netTrekker Search itself for four primary purposes including: for students to learn on their own (60%); to introduce variety into their regular lessons through visuals, videos and learning games (59%); to provide activities for enrichment (58%); or to prepare class units or lessons (58%). Half of educators (50%) use netTrekker Search to teach common topics in a different way, while 40% are using the tool to support Common Core curriculum. To a lesser degree, educators are using this digital content tool as a resource for project-based learning (35%), for remediation/intervention (31%), or to build digital curriculum (27%). One-fourth use the tool for supporting English language learners (25%).

Impact on students
Ninety-seven percent (97%) of educators indicate that netTrekker Search has had a positive impact on their students. This impact has manifested in a number of ways with a high 65% of netTrekker Search users indicating that it has helped to engage students. Other noted effects on students included helping learn the material in a different way (60%); helping them enjoy learning (52%); staying on task (46%); exploring their personal learning interests (40%); completing their homework (36%); feeling better about themselves and their ability to learn (26%); achieving higher grades (24%); applying learning to their own lives (24%); catching up to other students (15%); preparing for their future (college or career) (15%); and studying for tests (12%).

Digital content: user priorities and teaching characteristics
Nine out of 10 educators who are using this kind of solution really want to increase their skills in bringing digital content to their classes (92%). In doing so, the vast majority (92%) look to digital content to provide a new approach to address needs of different types of students, while 90% use digital content as a better way to assess student progress. Characterized by common traits, the majority of netTrekker Search users are comfortable incorporating digital content into their teaching practice (88%), consider themselves technologically savvy (86%), and are extremely creative in finding ways to help their students enjoy learning (82%). Three-fourths (75%) of netTrekker Search users routinely share their lesson plans with other teachers. In terms of obstacles, 62% need to understand the benefits before trying new technologies in the classroom, and 60% struggle with enough time to do lesson and unit planning.

Taking netTrekker Search home
While currently, approximately one-fifth of users report having parents who use netTrekker Search with their children at home (18%), it should be noted that one-third plan to use it this way in the future. A high 92% feel this approach is a good resource for parents to use when helping their children with projects, homework, studying or finding a different way to learn something. Notably, 18% of educators showed an interest in training to help parents to use approaches like netTrekker Search.

About the Survey
The 2012 netTrekker Search Impact Study was conducted by Knovation, the leading developer of standards-based, personalized, digital content solutions that empower learners to unlock their curiosity and potential. The report is based on responses from 400 netTrekker Search users to a web-based survey conducted during the month of May 2012. Educators participating in this research represented teachers in all grades K-12, library/media and information technology and several curriculum directors and principals. Participants averaged 17 years of experience as educators.

About netTrekker Search 
Recently upgraded to streamline the path to differentiated instruction, for more than 10 years, netTrekker Search has been the leading educational search tool serving over 30,000 schools and 27 million K-12 students. With access to more than 330,000 relevant digital resources reviewed by educators and aligned with state and Common Core standards, netTrekker Search produces consolidated details, enabling teachers to quickly differentiate search results and identify the best resources to address the variety of student needs in the classroom. Students using netTrekker Search enjoy a visually appealing, productive and intuitive product that inspires the learning experience.

For more information, please contact Knovation at 1.855.KNOVATE (566-8283) or visit www.knovationlearning.com.