Discussion2

June 14, 2010 Ed Tech and Achievement--Choose one positive finding from ONE of the five studies and in 3-4 sentences, tell why this finding is important to you and your classroom. This could mean how it changes what you do in the future or that it validates what you have done in the past. Be sure to put what study it was from and sign your name to your post here.

I chose findings from the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow. In my opinion, computer based research that has a positive impact on a student's attitude toward learning is a positive for any classroom. Teachers would appreciate giving an assignment and letting the students use the resource to complete it. For some reason students/people of all ages seem to feel they are accomplishing something when they use computers. I think the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow could be a win win situation for students and teachers. Anner M Gray


 * My Positive Finding comes from Kulik's Meta- Analysis Study: Students like their classes more and develop more positive attitudes when their classes include computer based instruction... I really agree with this finding because with all the high tech video games and gadgets that our children use and play on consistant basis, their minds have become extremely high tech as well. They need to be engaged and that is exactly what computers and technology aim to do. In my classroom, I try to have four computers set up. There is one in the math center, one in the reading center, and two in the computer center. The students use these computers to play games that coincide with current lessons in all subjects. I have that even my slower kids grasp the concept better when I combine lecture, paper work, and technology together. My students were so excited about coming to school and often parents would call me to see where I got certain technology things from and the educational websites from class because the students are worrying them to get on the websites from class. I also have V-smiles, read with me dvd systems, leap pads, and other educational games in the entertainment area. The students love it. All of this keep them from getting bored and ultimately leads to better grades and less discipline problems. The key is to make sure that the activity goes along the current lesson and they must behave in the classroom or they won't do the fun technology stuff... (Deborah Gulley) **

My positive finding came from Kulik's Meta-Analysis Study: On average, students who used computer-based instructions scored at the 64th percentile on test of achievement compared to students in the control conditions without computers who scored at the 50th percentile... I agree with the research because computer based instructions are more interesting and challenging to the youth rather than without having a computer or using paper based information. In today society almost everything is evolved around technology and kids are so advanced with technology at an early age. Taking practice test, or tutorial on the computer is easier and more interesting for the kids because they don't have to write, which some may think is more boring than typing, all they have to do is click the mouse or type. Their are different learning styles that are very helpful in helping the kids score a high percentage on achievement test. The computer based instruction is one that works good. James Gardner

I chose one of the positive findings from Sivin-Kachala's Review of the Research which stated that students' attitudes toward learning and their own self-concept improved consistently when computers were used for instruction. Having taught at the secondary education level and in my church's children's ministry as well as from being a second time graduate student, I can attest to the fact that students of various ages, including myself and other adults, perk up and seem to have better attitudes toward learning when computers and technology are involved. Many times when technology is involved, students are able to some degree to facilitate their own learning at a pace that works for them. This encourages them to have confidence in themselves, their abilities, and capacity to learn which improves their self-concept. When students have a good self-concept and the right attitude, the sky is the limit like the old saying goes that "attitude determines your aptitude." In the future, I plan to incorporate technology into my lessons much more. ** Tynell Mitchell **

The positive finding I chose to discuss is from Wenglinsky's study. Although I will be teaching science and this study deals with math scores, I think it is relevant to me because math and science are taught in similar ways: the teacher lectures, works a few problems/answers some questions and then expects the students to comprehend the lesson. The positive finding I found most interesting was that eighth grade students who were instructed by teachers that had professional development training (in regards to technology) performed better than students whose teachers did not participate in professional development. These students performed 15 weeks above grade level. I think this finding demonstrates that if a teacher is better educated in regard to technology, they can better incorporate it into their lessons, and therefore utilize better/additional teaching strategies to drive home a topic or lesson. This will help me to remember the importance of keeping up with technology and always implementing new ideas in my classroom. **Danielle Morlan**

I chose Sivin-Kachala’s Review of the Research by Jay Sivin-Kachala, effects of technology on learning and achievements across all learning domains and all ages of learners. One of Jay Sivin-Kachala’s positive findings that interest me is his findings on “students’ attitudes toward learning and their own self-concept improved consistently when computers were used for instruction”, (Sivin-Kachala, 1998). With students in general knowledge becomes more visual when using the computer. I think having computers in the classroom will benefit our students in many ways; computers will improve our students’ attention in school work and attendance in the classroom. When students enjoy something during class they look forward to doing it everyday and can not wait to get to class the following day. Their attention level will be longer working at a computer than working on classroom work. By having computers students will learn the importance of sharing and working together when the number of computers is limited within the classroom. By using computers in the classroom our student’s attitude and level of comfort will improve tremendously in conditions in and outside their everyday leanings. P. 5 Nichole Jone s

** The positive findings I chose comes from the Apple Classroom of Tomorrow. The ACOT had positive impacts on students attitudes. I mostly like that it makes a change for the teachers. Throughout my undergraduate college career, my classmates and I have been told that students learn better from peers. The ACOT emphasizes cooperative group work. This concept allows the students to help and learn from each other. The teacher gets the oppurtunity to see the things she's taught in action. I strongly believe if a student can teach one what the teacher has shown them, then they truly understand the lesson. We all know that children love technology. What better combination could we as educators ask for? The ACOT gives the children and teachers a chance to use the resources provided for a great learning experience. Krystal Lockett ​** My positive finding comes from The Kulik's Meta-Analysis Study: It was not surprising that on computer-based instruction students scored on the 64th percentile on tests and those that did not use computers, scored on the 50th percentile. I believe one reason that this is true is because technology is the new "thing" for children of today. Students love to get on the computer whether it is for plaing games or learning. Computers just seem to attract them for various reasons. I really think this could be a good tseting method to use in my physical education class. I not only just believe this studey is true, but I have experienced it myself in college classes. I loved ehen my teachers told me we could take the tests on the computer. It just seem like you less nervous when the test is on the computer. Shaquandas Perry