http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/research-units/ipse/research-projects/completed-projects/p76.cfm
This article discusses the effect of technology improving schools and education, as well as reducing social inequities. The research project involving this idea looked at what characteristics improved schools and how technology aided that. It also looked at how technology reduced inequities between pupils and they performance, as well as how technology aided those students with learning disadvantages.
Their findings were that technology does not necessarily lead to school improvement or helping close the gap between the disadvantaged students and the rest of the student body. But they found that technology definitely is essential for facilitating change, improving effectiveness/functioning, and helps to track student progress. Technology helped disadvantaged students by offering a more independent learning environment. The visual and interactive aspects of technology also raised motivation. However, there was not a direct link between technology and improving learning, but it did help motivate students to learn and raised self-esteem.
I thought this article related to our discussion because the use of technology/computers/internet in libraries has definitely made libraries more useful and helpful to the public. I felt that the same would be true for schools--since both are open, helpful, learning environments. I was surprised by the findings of this study. I felt for sure that there would be a positive correlation between technology in schools and improving schools, especially for disadvataged students.
Video Reflection
14 years ago
1 comment:
That sounds like a great article. It's interesting that newer technology doesn't improve learning more than the old paper and pencil method. When we were in grade school, we used computers, but probably not as much as children now. I did wonder how that was affecting children's learning.
Even though there seems to be no direct impact on student's learning, I feel like children with access to computers still have access to more information than children without access. These children are probably more likely to use computers in the future and be proficient at using them to access information. Giving children a head start on computers is a great idea to prepare them for the future. However, the children without access will probably suffer in the future as they will be less technologically savvy than other children.
Post a Comment