New study shows high rates of burnout among K-12 teachers as AI offers hope
New data released by Canva, a comprehensive visual communication platform, reveals a significant level of burnout among Kindergarten through 12th Grade (K-12) teachers in the United States as the 2023-2024 school year concludes.
According to the report, one-third of educators reported frequent burnout, attributed to higher rates of absenteeism and a decline in the quality of instruction.
The survey, conducted by Sago for Canva, included responses from 1,000 full-time, in-person K-12 teachers across the U.S. It aimed to assess teachers' well-being and explore how the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings might offer relief.
Key findings from the survey include:
Daily or frequent burnout was reported by 35% of the educators.
Over two-thirds (66%) stated they worked beyond their contractual hours, with some adding up to three extra hours daily.
Teacher burnout led to significant absenteeism (55%) and reduced patience with students (45%).
In terms of technology's impact, the survey highlighted a positive reception towards AI:
92% of those who used AI found it helpful in addressing various teaching pain points.
AI usage was higher among teachers who reported satisfaction with their jobs (46%) compared to their less satisfied counterparts (26%).
AI tools have been particularly effective in enhancing teaching efficiency and creativity. Among the surveyed educators:
60% acknowledged that AI improved work efficiency.
58% believed that AI contributed to reducing feelings of burnout.
Over half of the respondents (51%) used AI to create and enhance classroom materials.
Despite these benefits, the transition to AI is not universal. About 56% of teachers who have not yet adopted AI believe it could help mitigate burnout, with younger teachers and those with fewer years of experience showing greater openness to its potential.
Carly Daff, Head of Teams and Education at Canva, emphasised the nuanced role of AI in education:
“We often hear from our teacher communities about needing to achieve more with less. Teaching stress is complex and can’t be solved with any one tool. Still, it’s encouraging to see that teachers benefit from AI in alleviating their workloads, saving time, and unlocking their creativity.
“We hope that Canva can play a part in allowing teachers to focus on the parts of their job that they’re most passionate about, like creating engaging lessons, and work with students in ways they wouldn’t have been able to before.”
