Effects of Technology on Learning and Teaching

Dwi Setiyawan  
(1507042027)

Three factors pointing to the right time for action:

• Students out of school lives are richer in information and communication technology than their in-school lives
• Schools are still operating under an industrial model 
• New and powerful technology tools are available to support changing roles for schools

(Chris Dede, EduSummit the Hague, 2009)

Impact on Subject Area Learning

·         Reading/writing, math,
science, social studies,
foreign language

Writing Results

O'Dwyer, Russell, Bebell, and Tucker-Seeley (2005) found that, while controlling for both prior achievement and socioeconomic status, 4^th grade students who reported greater frequency of technology use at school to write and edit papers:

–     higher total English/language arts test scores

–     higher writing test scores

Math Results

•      Wenglinsky (1998) noted that for 4^th and 8^th grade students, technology had "positive benefits" on achievement as measured in NAEP's mathematics test.

•      Key Finding: Using computers to teach low-order thinking skills, such as drill and practice, had a negative impact on academic achievement, while using computers to solve simulations resulted in significant increases in students' math scores.

Science Results

•      Dunleavy and Heinecke (2007) found 1:1 computing has a positive effect on science achievement among at-risk middle school students.

•      Schroeder et al. (2007) showed technology had significant, positive effects on science test scores.

Social Studies, Foreign Language

•      Taylor and Duran (2006), analyzing Detroit’s MITTEN Program11, found significant, positive effects on social studies learning by increasing student interest in the subject material.

•      Murphy (2007) conducted randomized control trials to test for the effect of the use of instructional technology in foreign language comprehension and found significant, positive effects.

Learning with Technology

• Four fundamental characteristics of how technology can enhance both what and how children learn in the classroom (Roschelle, Pea, Hoadley, Gordin, & Means (2000):

1.      Active engagement

2.      Participation in groups

3.      Frequent interaction and feedback

                  4.      Connections to real-world contexts 

• Using technology is more effective as a learning tool when embedded in a broader education reform movement that includes improvements in teacher training, curriculum, student assessment, and a school's capacity for change. 

 

Resources

Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement (NCREL Report) – http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm

Technology and Student Achievement: The Indelible Link (ISTE 2008 Policy Report) – http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Advocacy/Policy/59.08-PolicyBrief-F-web.pdf

Technical Report on Student Learning (CARET) - http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=answers&QuestionID=1

Six Challenges for Educational Technology (Dede) - www.virtual.gmu.edu/pdf/ASCD.pdf

Freedom to Learn (Michigan) - http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/stories/edlite-Lansing.html

eMINTS (Missouri) - http://www.emints.org/