Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW-G Second Annual Teachers Talk Tech Survey™ Reveals Increasing Role of Computers in the Classroom Most Teachers say Computers Boost Student Performance on Standardized Tests New Orleans, LA - National Education Computing Conference - June 22, 2004 - Nearly two-thirds of kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) teachers say that availability of computers improves student performance on standardized tests, yet they do not believe they have enough computers for their students in their classrooms - according to the second annual Teachers Talk Tech™ survey released today by CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a leading provider of technology to federal, state and local governments and educators. Sixty-two percent of respondents - an increase of 8 percent over last year - said the use of computers improved student performance on standardized tests. Teachers also made it clear that to achieve the advantages afforded by technology, they need additional training and adequate equipment for the students. Teachers Talk Tech Links 2004 Survey Methodology Chris Rother CDW-G VP Profile Teachers Talk Tech Feedback Selected Slides While teachers as a whole believe computers aid student performance, 77 percent report they only have a few computers in the classroom, which students have to share. Teachers at schools with more than 2,000 students are more likely to say they need "a lot more" computers in the classroom. "Technology has become ingrained in the educational process. It increases teacher productivity on a daily basis, enhances student performance on key subjects, and improves student results on standardized tests," said Chris Rother, vice president of education at CDW-G. Rother released the findings of the company's second annual Teachers Talk Tech survey today at the National Education Computing Conference in New Orleans. "Teachers recognize the many benefits of technology, yet they are telling us they don't have enough computers or good enough software to realize technology's full potential." Mixed grades were given by teachers to the quality of the hardware and software available at their schools. Only 54 percent of teachers rank their hardware as good or excellent, and just 45 percent gave high marks to the software. As for making the most of technology's capabilities, 79 percent of teachers say they need more training. Teachers cited technology as a productivity enhancer that they use extensively for recording attendance, grading and record keeping. A majority of teachers surveyed say that computers are a valuable teaching tool for all core academic skills, especially English grammar and spelling. Kristi Crawford, an elementary school teacher from Bozeman, Montana who participated in the survey, echoed the feelings of many teachers across the nation. While she regretted not having enough computers to accommodate her students, she gave examples of how she leverages technology in the classroom. "I teach second and third grade students. Computers help me review basic facts and reinforce phonic skills. Computers also supply students with visual and audio aids. My students designed their own website to share what they have learned." As in 2003, virtually all teachers said they have email and that communications with students and parents via the Internet and email is substantial. Sixty percent of teachers report their school has an Internet site providing information about classes, homework assignments, grades or other school-related information and, of this fraction, 83 percent believe a school Internet site aids the education process. Other Research Highlights: 66% of teachers with a school website report it has increased parental involvement, an increase of 8% over 2003. 57% of all teachers believe computer technology increases parent-teacher communication. 28% of teachers say they need "a great deal more" computer training to make the best use of computer technology for improving teaching methods and practices. 51% of teachers say lack of up-to-date computer equipment is an "extremely" or "very" serious problem. 46% say acquiring high quality software appropriate for students at their grade level is an "extremely" or "very" serious problem. 52% of teachers believe inadequate technical support is an "extremely" or "very" serious problem. 48% of teachers say having enough time to become skilled with computer equipment and software is an "extremely" or "very" serious problem. CDW-G and Education CDW-G, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation [Nasdaq: CDWC], is a trusted advisor to educational institutions and offers leading brands of computer technology. CDW-G invests in education by supporting learning opportunities for teachers, school IT administrators and students. This week, CDW-G also celebrates the first anniversary of Ed Tech, a quarterly publication that shares K-12 information technology best practices and informs readers about technological innovations designed for schools. Survey Methodology Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates (FMM&A), a public policy-oriented research and communications consulting services firm based in Santa Monica, California, conducted the telephone survey of 1,012 K-12 teachers. The survey was completed in April of 2004 from a segmented random sample for equal representation of K/elementary, middle and high school teachers. The margin of error is a maximum of +/- 3 percent with a 95% confidence level. About CDW-G A wholly-owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation (Nasdaq: CDWC), CDW-G addresses the unique needs of the government and education markets with brand-name technology products and services. CDW-G is a leading source of technology products and services from top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. For more information about CDW-G's product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1-800-863-4239 or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 376 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government and education. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services including top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as HP Services and Unisys and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.