Rhonda Campbell
September 28, 2008
ED 503
Technology in the Classroom
Twenty five years ago the main technology used in the classroom was the overhead. Times have changed even though the overhead is still used in many classrooms; it is not the main technology that is used in classrooms today. When it comes to test scores, technology has no impact on student’s scores. Most teachers do not know how to sue the technology in the classroom.
Some teachers are limited on the use of a computer. Teacher’s main use for the computer is skill and drill and instructional games (Haugland, 2000). Larry Cuban (Wenglinsky, 2005) argues that some schools require teachers to use unproven technology in the classroom. In the 1990’s there was little evidence proven that technology improves test scores. Also in the 1990’s, states were pouring huge amounts of money into statewide technology programs (2005). The only thing that increased is how much money that was spent on these programs (2005). Haugland also states that computers are used in ways that are developmentally inappropriate (2000). Todd Oppenheimer claims that computers in the classroom are just a fad (Johnson, 2000).
In today’s classrooms, other forms of technology are being used not only by the teachers but by the students as well. PowerPoint and Excel are technology tools that are easy tools to use in the classroom (Starr, 2003). Being a teacher in the classroom, I feel that the computer do not make the students think. I have seen fourth graders who are starting to write use the computer for IM or email. The computer lets the child know if a word in misspelled or where a comma should go. In my opinion, the computer is doing basic skills that children should learn to do on their own.
Wenglinsky states that the more computer are used in school, the lower there scores were (2006). Socioeconomic status plays a vital role in this. Children who do not have a computer at home use the computer at school. Most often parents who attended college have computers at home and more likely know how to use the computer to benefit their child’s education (2006).
Teachers rely on other technology tools to help children learn. Some other technology that they use is PowerPoint presentation, Excel, and SMART Boards (2003). Not all students learn the same. Does using this kind of technology help those students who struggle with computer do well on the test? Do the students who do not have
computers at home do well in school using computers? Is the computer doing the work for the children? Children are not using their higher thinking skills because of the computer (Johnson, 2000).
The use of computers in the classroom to improve test scores will always be a huge debate. Students cannot use the computer when taking the test. The computer is only as smart as the operator. The computer is taking away skills that are important to students that are important to a child’s education. It seems that all the child has to do is “plug” in the information and it will do the work. This debate has been going on for several years and it will keep on for many years longer.
Bibliography
Haugland, Susan W. (2000). Computers and young children. Champaign, IL:
Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
(ERIC No. Ed438926)
Johnson, Kirk (2000). Do Computers in the Classroom Boost Academic Achievement? Retrieved September 22, 2008 from http://www.heritage.org/Reserch/Education/EDA00-08.cfm
Starr, Linda (2003). Technology Integration Ideas that Work. Retrieved September 22, 2008 from http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech176.shtml
Wenglinsky, Harold (2005). Technology and Achievement: The Bottom Line. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 29-32.