New report shows digital skills are key to survival in our future workforce

The time Aussie students spend collaborating with classmates, accessing global experts and researching projects online at home is expected to sky rocket in the 2017 school year, according to new research released today.
 

The annual nbn™ Digital Parenting Report reveals key trends in how Aussie kids use the internet for learning as well as insights into how their parents feel about it.
 

It reveals that although the majority of parents (74 per cent) agree digital skills  and access to fast broadband (77 per cent) are key in order to best prepare their children for the future workforce, half (50 per cent) worry their children are spending too much time online.
 

Children’s Technology and Learning Expert, Dr. Kristy Goodwin said:

“With growing access to technology and fast broadband via the nbn™ network in our homes and schools, students have access to a world of resources and opportunities to help set them up for success. It’s these resources alongside important STEM skills that are essential to help equip, motivate and educate this generation of tech-savvy kids.”
 

“Children will continue to spend more and more time online, so rather than burying their heads in the sand and trying to limit use of technology, I’d recommend parents try and prevent the ‘digital zombie’ effect by finding active ways for kids to engage with it. For example, when students are coding, designing webpages, participating in educational chat forums, or producing a movie, their minds are actively involved and using higher order thinking skills instead of just passively consuming content.”
 

Honorary Fellow of the Re-Engineering Australia Foundation and STEM educator, Stephen Read said:

“As Aussie kids head off to start their school year, we’ll see tech-related subjects front and centre of their education with a new tech curriculum introduced into many Australian schools. It’s fantastic to see teachers and parents understanding the importance of embracing tech to help prepare them for a competitive digital future.”
 

“With one in two Australians predicted to need skills in programming and software development to remain competitive in the 2030 job market, increasing access to fast broadband will help to upskill and get students learning online more efficiently.”
 

Key findings from the report include:

• Almost half (47 per cent) of students head online after school to collaborate with their classmates via video chat and more than half (57 per cent) of school aged children watch online tutorials to assist with homework.
• The number of parents who agree using the internet for homework, research or educational games helps prepare children for the future is increasing (81 per cent compared with 76 per cent last year).
• Primary school aged children are spending 1.8 hours online for homework each weekday, this jumps to 3 hours per weekday when students reach high school.
• The majority (77 per cent) of parents think that high-speed internet is important at home to meet demands of school work and over half (57 per cent) believe that quality internet access could impact their child’s educational outcomes.

Media enquiries

Jaye Sellen Mobile: +61 429 328 152 Email: jayesellen@nbnco.com.au

nbn™ Media Hotline Phone: 02 9927 4200 Email: media@nbnco.com.au

Media resources

Click here to download the nbn™ Digital Parenting Report

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Notes to editors

• The nbn™ Digital Parenting Report was commissioned by nbn and conducted by Evolve Research in November and December 2016 and surveyed over 1,000 Australian parents aged 18 and over.
• nbn is building a new and upgraded, fast wholesale broadband network to enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband from their retail service provider. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• Fast broadband like that delivered via the nbn™ network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.
• End-user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network, depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans, signal reception and how the end-user’s service provider designs its network. Satellite customers may experience latency.

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