Since computers first started appearing in schools and education, an enormous amount of dollars, both public and private, have been spent on technology and technology training. With billions of dollars being spent on technology in education, it leads to the question: Are we seeing a return on our investment? The answer to this question requires us to look closely at the information I will be presenting.
The points I will be presenting are: Technology helps improved student achievement on multiple assessments. Before we invest more in technology, what does the research say. This is comparable to investing money. You will do research before investing money. We don’t invest money blindly. Technology helps in developing higher order thinking and problem solving skills. Comparing this to investing money, now you have done the research, problem solve to determine how much you will need and how much you will invest. Technology assists in workforce preparation. Just as we are preparing the students for the future, we are preparing our portfolio of investments for the future. Whether it is a college fund, vacation, dream home, or retirement. You are planning for the future. Technology affects school climate. The technology is in place and newer technology is coming and this is contributing to the climate of the school. In the same way you are contributing more money to your investments. The cost efficiency of computer technology in classrooms. We are keeping an eye on the costs of technology, just as you are keeping an eye on your investment plan. But before I begin, let me remind you that there is not any research that indicates that computer technology is the solution to the educational problems in the United States. And rather than asking if technology is worth the cost, we should be asking, “How is technology going to be most beneficial to our students?”
A study was done in Illinois to measure the impact learning technologies had on student achievement. Illinois reported that scores on state assessments improved in many areas, such as 11th grade science and 10th grade reading. Test scores also increased in West Virginia when curriculum for basic skills in math and reading were integrated with instructional software.
Higher-order thinking skills and problem solving skills enable learners to apply their content knowledge in a variety of ways…
Students across nine states used an interactive video software program called Jasper as a center-piece for math instruction. These students used it for 3 to 4 weeks. They were compared to students who did not use it. The students in classrooms with the Jasper video program were better able to complete complex problem-solving tasks. In Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, 470 students used, as part of their curriculum, an intelligent-tutor software program that simulates real-world situations. On average, the students who used this software outperformed students by 15% on standardized tests and 100% on classroom tests that targeted the objectives.
Applications that are used in the world of work, such as word processors, spreadsheets, computer-aided drawing, Web site development programs and the Internet, are technology skills that will help prepare students for post-secondary careers.
Not only does the attitude of the students improve, but the attitude of the teachers will improve as well. As long as teachers have been trained through staff-development opportunities. If the teachers feel frustrated or unsupported, they will not use the technology or have a poor attitude when using the technology. The teachers and staff play a large role in school climate when it comes to technology because the students will pick-up on their enthusiasm or lack of.
The results of computer technology in K-12 schools cannot be measured the same way you measure results in your investment portfolio. You can go into your portfolio everyday to monitor the performance of your investments, whereas monitoring the results of investing in technology are not as easily measured because of its always changing nature.
Investing in technology and portfolio investing are similar in many ways. They both involve research, analysis, future planning, and monitoring the results. Although they are similar in many ways, measuring results and success are very different.
