Project Tomorrow, an organization focused on using broadband to improve children’s education, released the findings of its annual national survey this week to Congress. Project Tomorrow’s Chief Executive Officer Julie Evans noted that broadband access and adoption amongst kids in school has far outpaced the ability or drive from schools to keep up with that demand.  Here are some of the highlights of the findings:

Despite broadband access lagging in many of the nation’s schools, the survey results found that students are already finding ways to use high-speed Internet technology to improve their learning experiences:

34% of high-school students are already using broadband tools to collaborate with other students on coursework

28% use broadband to communicate with teachers

However, those numbers trail significantly when compared to students’ broadband usage outside of school:

72% use broadband to communicate with friends through IM, email and text

26% use broadband to seek others students’ help with schoolwork outside the classroom

18% even contribute to a wiki, which relies on the same research, writing and computational skills used in nearly all school coursework

Finally, Evans noted the strong majorities of children who say they would use broadband as part of their educational experience if that technology were accessible through their schools on a daily basis:

70% would conduct online research

56% would use broadband to record lectures or take notes

55% would work with other students on projects

48% would access online textbooks

You can read more about Project Tomorrow and their national survey findings here.