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Running Head: TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION
Technology Instruction: How Important Is It Really? ... Mason
University of Nebraska Kearney
Abstract
With the increasing costs of technology and tighter educational budgets across the country, questions about the use of technology and its worth have begun to arise. Is the cost of technology really worth the benefits? Is Technology being used appropriately in the classroom? In this review, a background of research completed on the effects of technology on achievement is presented as well as information about the integration of technology into the curriculum through teacher training. It reflects information presented in national reports from the Office of Technology and Assessment, the CEO Forum, and The Milken Exchange as well as various other report about technology use.
Technology Instruction: How Important Is It Really?
Introduction
The lack of effective technology integration into the classroom at Bertrand Community School has caused some to question the amount of money being spent to continuously upgrade equipment and software in an attempt to stay current with technology trends. Although they see some benefits to learning more about technology, educators in this district are frustrated because of a lack of properly functioning hardware, a lack of preparation time, and limited instruction in the use of the equipment and software currently available to them.
Some questions that may help in developing a long-range plan for technology integration into the Bertrand School system are:
1. Is the cost of implementing technology into the general curriculum worth the outcome? ... How effective is technology in increasing student performance? ... What problems are occurring nation-wide with regards to teacher training and technology? ... What types of strategies should teachers be using to incorporate technology into the classroom?
Method
Discussions with teachers in the Bertrand School District occurred to identify their concerns over technology in this particular school district. From there, research of secondary sources pertaining to staff development and technology was conducted using on-line educational databases such as Eric and electronic library services. ...
Findings
Background of Technology in Education
The expansion and the use of computers have come a long way since the first Apple computers appeared on the scene in the early 1980s. ... Since that time educational technology has come a long way. ...
The real push for educational technology started in 1996 when President Clinton defined the “Four Pillars” included in his Technology Literacy Challenge and called for expanded educational technology objectives to include hardware and technology as well as digital content and professional development (CEO Forum Report, 1998). ...
The recent push to integrate technology into our schools has had a very big price tag. ... 8 billion in education technology, and estimates project that spending will be $5. ... With these high dollar expenditures, many criticize the paybacks of educational technology. The report also states:
Some critics wrongly dismiss the investment in education technology as wasted when test scores do not immediately improve. These critics do not consider that technology was not deployed to fulfill educational objectives or that these assessments do not accurately measure educational objectives. ... Our nation is already experiencing some of the benefits of technology in education. It is now time to take the final steps to integrate technology into instruction to improve student achievement and ensure technology benefits students, teachers, administrators, parents and communities nationwide. ...
So, just exactly how important is technology in the classroom?
Importance of Technology
Because the “technological boom” is so recent, there have been only a few in depth studies conducted to determine the impact of technology on educational achievement. ... Schacter (1999) concluded:
These studies show that…students with access to computer assisted instruction, or integrated learning systems technology, or simulations and software that teaches higher order thinking, or collaborative networked technologies, or design and programming technologies show positive gains in achievement on researcher constructed tests, standardized tests, and national tests. ... 9)
However, Schacter also indicates that the way technology is used in the classroom dictates how effective it will be educationally. He states, “There is, however, evidence in some of these studies that learning technology is less effective or ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear and the focus of the learning technology is diffuse. ... However, Green and Siegle (2002) cited Clark (1985) as saying that these results [of Kulik’s and other reports on technology and achievement] were based on “poor research methodology. ... Green and Siegle reviewed the results of two other studies conducted in Idaho to determine the effects of technology on learning. The results of this study showed that the districts with “high teacher technology competency” showed greater academic gains. ... Technology competency and the ability of the teacher to effectively integrate technology into the classroom curriculum is and will continue to be a factor in the academic success. ... 7)
Another study in the state of West Virginia also showed strong evidence for technology and achievement. ...
Another study published in the CEO Forum Report (1999) also noted “…the students who used technology for simulations and applications received better test scores than those who used the technology only for drill and practice. ... 29) Becker also discusses the differences of effective and ineffective use of technology in his concerns about equity in technology. ...
“Appropriately applied technology facilitates and reinforces project-based learning by allowing students to work together to research, analyze, and solve problems creatively…. The bottom line is clear: technology, applied well, can enhance and reinvigorate education, making schools richer and more exciting interactive communities of learning for students and teachers alike. ... In addition, technology benefits students of all ability levels. ... Department of Education (1996), With the support of technology, learning disabled students were able to “master” higher level skills and “problem-solve” as well as their non-handicapped peers, and in some instances did better and were used as tutors within the classroom.
Approximate Word count = 4690
Approximate Pages = 18.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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