Do Computers Increase Student Achievement?
19 10 2007First off, I’m not going to answer that question, because I don’t know the answer — and I don’t think anyone else knows it, either. What is achievement? And how is it measured? Is it test scores? Class grades? An internal sense of accomplishment by students? A subjective “he knows what he’s talking about” nod from a teacher? I don’t know, for sure, and I’m not going to go into what I think right here.
What I am going to comment on is the notion that computers — especially in 1-to-1 programs like that at Empire High School where I work — make for a better school. After all, Empire is an ‘excelling’ school, according to our test scores, and we’re only in our third year. Isn’t it because of the computers, and the fact that every student has one?
Apple will tell you it does…well, only if you use their products, I suppose (and note that I do use Apple computers, but I have not had a sip of the Apple koolaid). Some university researchers last year said computers don’t improve achievement (of course, they didn’t really define achievement, either). And here’s another perspective.
What do you think? I’ve got my hunch — what’s the prevailing attitude out there? What’s your evidence?
jdg
You bring up some great points. I think one of our biggest obstacles is defining “achievement.” Many politicians and members of the public feel that a standardized test score measures achievement. I think this is very limiting. We all know that some people take tests better than others, and tests do not measure effort, imagination and real problem-solving skills. I don’t think “achievement” can be measured in a one-size-fits-all format. Speaking for myself, I would consider a student to be achieving well if she knew how to uncover topics – to seek a deeper understanding of the material from different viewpoints. I also think it is incredibly important for students to be able to express their knowledge in a variety of ways. Tapping into multiple intelligences and individual strengths is extremely important. In the real world, we are not put in situations where all of our resources are taken away and we have to sit in silence and answer a bunch of questions about something. In the real world, we have to collaborate with others and use their strengths to solve problems. We have to present what we know by using all of the resources available to us. I think that computers can and do increase student achievement … as a direct result of good teaching. If a teacher is not promoting higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, or if a teacher is not harnessing critical literacy skills, than I believe a computer will have negligible impact on student achievement. It’s what you do with a computer that makes the difference, not the technology itself.
Maine Former Governor Angus King made a convincing presentation on Fri Oct 19th at the Vienna International School. Within the Apple-sponsored workshop “Getting Ahead – Technology in Education” (or something like that), he detailed the results of this Maine 1 to 1 program. Bottom line: each 7th and then 8th grader in the Maine public schools received one. The evaluation of the “results in terms of student learning” (which incidentially Gov. King indicated would be publisized today Oct 24th in a press conference) show some positive quantitative results. The focus was student achievement in writing as well as some general qualitative feedback. Teachers feel, in that Maine program, – about 80% – that students are learning more if they each have the Apple laptop. Quantitatively about students performed 20% better if they were amongst the “teachers who used the laptop group.” Apparently a control group evolved from among the students in the program as for some reason there were a small group of teachers who for some reason did not have their students use that laptop. Interesting results – watch the news today Oct 24th for the details.
Rick Fitzpatrick, Bavarian International School, IG and IB History Teacher
[...] a posting on Jeremy Gypton’s Thoughts on Teaching & Educational Technology blog called Do Computers Increase Student Achievement? Jeremy raised some excellent points and really got me thinking about the big [...]
Jeremy,
I noticed you mentioned on the open wiki postings, that your school had a laptop 1:1 environment. Our district is considering looking at a 1:1 initiative for one grade level in high school. I would like the opportunity to visit with you about how your school/district implemented 1:1 and what staff development was offered to teachers for teaching/faciliatating in a 1:1 environment. Please email me at phyllis.roberts@cfisd.net
Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing from you.
Phyllis
I got educational interactive games in my computer which I think helped my kid learn new words.
We’ll computers and the internet would surely help students make great research work.
I came across an entreprenurial site I want to share with you, the Young Entrepreneur Society from the http://www.YoungEntrepreneurSociety.com. A great documentary about successful entrepreneurs.