Nine in Ten (86%) Think That Schools Should Invest Money in Better and New Technology to Help Teach Kids

Toronto, ON - Nine in ten (86%) `agree' (28% strongly/58% somewhat) that `schools should invest money in better and new technology to help teach kids', according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Global Television, the sixth and final instalment in a six-part series on education. Just one in ten (14%) `disagree' (2% strongly/12% somewhat) with this kind of investment. Quebecers (90%) most agree investment for better and new technology to teach kids should occur, followed by Ontarians (86%), Atlantic Canadians (86%), Albertans (85%), residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (83%), and British Columbians (79%).

When it comes to technology, Canadians believe there is a fine balance between using new and old techniques of teaching. Two in ten (16%) would err on the side of technology, most closely believing that `schools should be using the most up-to-date digital techniques to teach students through technology and about technology'. Adopting the opposite stance, just 5% are of the opinion that `schools should focus on old-fashioned teaching methods and leave technology outside of the classroom'. Most (79%), however, would land somewhere in the middle, believing that `schools should use technology to help teach, but should balance it with classic teaching methods'.

Residents of British Columbia (84%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (84%) are most likely to say that schools should find a balance between using technology and classic teaching methods, followed by Atlantic Canadians (81%), Ontarians (80%), Albertans (80%), and Quebecers (72%). While they are the least likely to say that schools should balance these old and new methods, Quebecers are most likely to believe that schools should be using the most up-to-date digital techniques (18%) as well as old-fashioned teaching methods, while leaving technology outside of the classroom (10%), compared to the rest of Canadians. The table provides a provincial breakdown of how technology should be used in the classroom:

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While many Canadians believe more money needs to be invested into technology in schools, overall, most (70%) Canadians `agree' (22% strongly/47% somewhat) that their `province doesn't spend enough on public education'. Atlantic Canadians (76%), British Columbians (75%), and Quebecers (73%) being most likely to think so, and Albertans (68%), residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (68%) and Ontario (65%) being less likely to think so. Overall, three in ten (30%) `disagree' (6% strongly/25% somewhat) that their province doesn't spend enough on public education. Those with kids in the household are the most likely to agree (77%), while just 23% of those with kids in the household disagree.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between August 20-27th, 2012, on behalf of Global Television, the sixth and final instalment of a six-part series on education. For the survey, a sample of 1,569 Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, respectively, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2002
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.

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