Technology and Education

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Technology and Education

• Michelle Andersen
• Lavincia Allen

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Thesis

• In todays society schools are spending and
  increasing amount of their budget to incorporate
  technology into classrooms and lesson plans.
• Does this expenditure help to improve student
  test scores and GPAs, overall student
  achievement, and limited English proficient
  students.

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Student Test Scores and GPAs

• When incorporated into the classroom and lesson
  plans technology has a positive impact on student
  test scores and GPAs.
• Carmen Arace Middle School
• Spent 2.1 million dollars of their budget to
  purchase laptop computers for all their students.
• In 1995, a year before the laptops were
  introduced, only 40 of eighth grade students met
  the state wide reading goal.
• In 1999 the percent of students who met the state
  wide reading goal increased to 60.
• Brewster Academy
• Students who regularly used laptop computers in
  the classroom increased their SAT I scores by 92
  points.
• Missouri's eMINTS Program
• Incorporated computers and other multimedia
  technologies into classrooms.
• Students scored 10 to 13 points higher on the
  Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests than
  students who did not participate in the program.

Percent
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Student Test Scores and GPAs (cont.)

• Educational Department of Virginia
• The career and technology services of the
  Educational Department of Virginia found that
  students who were enrolled in technology courses
  scored better on SOL end of course test than
  students who were not enrolled in these classes.
• Scores in Mathematics increased from 2001 to
  2004.

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Student Test Scores and GPAs

• The National Assessment of Educational Progress
  (NAEP)
• Students who used computers to do word
  processing, art projects, and to create tables
  and graphs scored higher on the NAEP history
  assessment than students who did not use
  computers.
• NAEP found that students who are skillful at
  keyboarding can more easily express their ideas
  than students who use pen and paper (Wenglinsky,
  2005).
• ANOVA Test
• Students who spent up to 3 hours using the
  computer experienced a .15 increase in their GPA.
  (see chart)

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Student Achievement and Technology

• Computer software and technology helps to improve
  student achievement in the classroom and at home.
• Technology helps to get students more engaged in
  learning, it helps to improve reading and writing
  skills, and gets parents involved at home.
• Carmen Arace Middle School
• Students who used laptops were able to write more
  fluidly.
• Ms. Rendock a teacher at the school noted that
  students are able to edit their papers better
  when using laptops because they are able to
  improve their writing skills without me taking
  out the old red pen (Guernsey, 2001).
• Fairfield County Day School
• Students regularly used laptops in classrooms.
• A 14 year old student who attended the school
  noted that he was able to write better using the
  laptop because it was easier for him to revise
  papers since he didnt have to completely rewrite
  them.
• Ardsley Middle School
• SMART Boards were added to classrooms in the
  middle school.
• Teachers found that even shy students would
  volunteer because they felt more comfortable
  using the device.
• Technology helps students pay more attention
  because it is more interesting than traditional
  lessons.

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Student Achievement and Technology (cont.)

• Prince Edwards Island Schools
• Using the StudentAchieve program, which allowed
  parents and students to view their childs
  attendance, grades, assignments, and course
  information online.
• The school spent 100,000 of their budget to
  incorporate this new technology into classrooms.
• The program encourages the students to keep their
  grades on track and it allows parents to get more
  involved in their childs education.

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Limited English Proficient Students (LEP)

• Over the years technological advances have made
  it possible to better educate LEP students who do
  not speak English as their first language.
• The technology that can be used by teachers is
  hypermedia, speech recognition and computers.

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LEP Students (cont.)

• Hypermedia
• Hypermedia is self-paced and self-centered
  allowing students to control his or her own
  academic path (Bermudez Palumbo).
• Hypermedia allows LEP students to develop English
  more naturally as if they were being taught at
  home.
• Hypermedia offers LEP students with a better
  opportunity to learn because they are visually
  presented with the information.

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LEP Students (cont.)

• Speech recognition
• This software is important to LEP students
  because it allows them to see and hear what they
  have written on the computer screen.
• Writing to Read Program
• It has received nation wide attention and has
  been used in schools across the country.
• The Writing to Read system is effective for LEP
  students because it operates in a positive
  environment which models language rather than
  corrects it, students can progress at their own
  pace and control their own learning, the program
  emphasizes concrete multi-sensory activities and
  listening is considered basic to learning and a
  variety of listening opportunities are provided
  (Cohen, 1989, p.5).

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LEP Students (cont.)

• Computer Software
• Linda M. Cohen stated that computers can
  provide a means for students to break out of the
  traditional model of thinking, to enhance their
  sense of mastering and to enrich the learning
  experiences by providing access to role models
  and speakers from their native culture
• Local and Long Distant Electronic Networks
• This helps LEP students to communicate and
  exchange information with other students via the
  mailing system.
• Application Software
• This software allows LEP students to learn many
  skills at the same time such as grouping and
  vocabulary.
• Application software allows teachers to better
  teach history, science, and social studies.
• Games
• Games are easier for LEP students to use because
  they have less text than other programs.
• LEP students benefit from games where
  instructions are enforced by graphics.

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LEP Students (cont.)

• Word Processing
• Word processing helps LEP students to better
  develop reading and writing skills.
• It allows students to work cooperatively with one
  another.
• For example one student can write a poem, essay
  or a few sentences and the others can help edit,
  rewrite, or critique the document on the print
  out screen.
• Simulations
• Simulation software simulates certain situations
  that LEP students might encounter in everyday
  life.
• The software is important because there is a
  shortage of equipment that is designed for LEP
  students and the simulation software allows them
  to digitally complete science experiments and
  other projects.
• Tutorial
• It allows LEP students to branch out into various
  subject areas, depending on the individual needs
  of the student.
• The software acts as a tutor providing concepts
  and explanations.
• Drill and Practice
• Drill and practice software allows LEP students
  to work on questions and answers, substitution,
  completion exercises and answers by typing a
  letter, number, or phrases into the computer.

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Conclusion

• Incorporating technology into classrooms and
  lesson plans has a positive impact on student
  test scores and GPAs, student achievement and the
  education of LEP students. Studies show that
  when students use technology in classrooms they
  have very beneficial effects on overall
  academics. Javier Movellan states that I think
  this technology is going to flourish and its
  going to be very important in our daily lives
  (Murphy Lacy).