Effects of Technology on Learning and Teaching: What the research tells us

1. Ann Thompson and Denise Schmidt Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching College of Human Sciences - Iowa State University Effects of Technology on Learning and Teaching:What the research tells us

2. Thanks for asking! • We’ve learned a lot since computers were first introduced into schools in the 1980’s • Focus is changing from the technology to the “dynamic equilibrium” between technology, teaching methods, and content • Review findings, cite exemplary cases • Answer Questions!

3. The Context • Three factors pointing to the right time for action: • Students out of school lives are richer in information and communication technology than their in-school lives • Schools are still operating under an industrial model • New and powerful technology tools are available to support changing roles for schools (Chris Dede, EduSummit the Hague, 2009)

4. Presenting the Research Results • Large Scale Meta-analyses • Impact on Subject Area Learning • Reading/writing, math, science, social studies, foreign language • State Initiatives • Michigan • Missouri

5. Large Scale Meta-analyses • Murphy (2001) and Kulik (1994) both found significant positive results on the effects of technology use on student achievement in reading and math • Each reviewed hundreds of studies • Overall effects were positive • Research has moved to more specific questions

6. O'Dwyer, Russell, Bebell, and Tucker-Seeley (2005) found that, while controlling for both prior achievement and socioeconomic status, 4th grade students who reported greater frequency of technology use at school to write and edit papers: higher total English/language arts test scores higher writing test scores Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) English/Language Arts Test Writing Results

7. Math Results Wenglinsky (1998) noted that for 4th and 8th grade students, technology had "positive benefits" on achievement as measured in NAEP's mathematics test. Key Finding: Using computers to teach low-order thinking skills, such as drill and practice, had a negative impact on academic achievement, while using computers to solve simulations resulted in significant increases in students' math scores.

8. Science Results Dunleavy and Heinecke (2007) found 1:1 computing has a positive effect on science achievement among at-risk middle school students. Schroeder et al. (2007) showed technology had significant, positive effects on science test scores.

9. Social Studies, Foreign Language Taylor and Duran (2006), analyzing Detroit’s MITTEN Program11, found significant, positive effects on social studies learning by increasing student interest in the subject material. Murphy (2007) conducted randomized control trials to test for the effect of the use of instructional technology in foreign language comprehension and found significant, positive effects.

10. Freedom to Learn (FTL), provides middle school students and teachers with access to wireless laptop computers. improved grades, motivation and discipline in classrooms one exemplary school seeing reading proficiency scores on the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) increase, from 29 percent to 41 percent for seventh graders and from 31 to 63 percent for eighth graders (eSchool News, 2005). State Initiatives - Michigan

11. eMINTS – focuses on innovative instructional processes in grades 3-12 (develop student-centered, inquiry-based instructional practices), Quasi-experimental studies found: eMINTS classrooms have outperformed peers in state standardized performance measures (in communication arts and mathematics) Students with IEPs and students with limited English proficiency outscored their peers by one standard deviation in each of the four content areas Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, Utah, Australia State Initiatives - Missouri

12. Research indicates that computer technology can help support learning and is especially useful in developing the higher-order skills of critical thinking, analysis, and scientific inquiry "by engaging students in authentic, complex tasks within collaborative learning contexts" (Roschelle, Pea, Hoadley, Gordin & Means, 2000; Means, et. al., 1993)

13. Learning with Technology • Four fundamental characteristics of how technology can enhance both what and how children learn in the classroom (Roschelle, Pea, Hoadley, Gordin, & Means (2000): • Active engagement • Participation in groups • Frequent interaction and feedback • Connections to real-world contexts • Using technology is more effective as a learning tool when embedded in a broader education reform movement that includes improvements in teacher training, curriculum, student assessment, and a school's capacity for change.

14. TPACK Technocentric Planning vs. TPACK

15. Exemplary Cases • Westside Community Schools – Omaha, NE • Over 6,000 K-12 students • 1:1 - 8th-12th grades • 2:1 – K-6th grades • Keys to Success • Teachers changed pedagogy • Modular scheduling • Experimentation and sharing • Academic success for students • One Teacher’s Story

16. Recommendationsfrom ISTE Research Report Effective professional development for teachers in the integration of technology into instruction is necessary to support student learning. Teachers’ direct application of technology must be aligned to curriculum standards. (Common Core/Iowa Core) Technology must be incorporated into the daily learning schedule. (technocentric vs. TPACK) Student collaboration in the use of technology is more effective in influencing student achievement than strictly individual use. Project-based learning and real-world simulations are more effective in changing student motivation and achievement than drill-and-practice applications. Effective technology integration requires leadership, support, and modeling from teachers, administrators and the community/parents.

17. In Summary: Four Key Areas Chris Dede Professor in Learning Technologies Harvard Graduate School of Education Increased learner motivation Advanced topics mastered Students acting as experts Better outcomes on standardized tests

18. Ann Thompson – eat@iastate.edu Denise Schmidt – dschmidt@iastate.edu Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching College of Human Sciences Iowa State University Images from Microsoft Clipart and Creative Commons

19. Resources Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement (NCREL Report) – http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm Technology and Student Achievement: The Indelible Link (ISTE 2008 Policy Report) – http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Advocacy/Policy/59.08-PolicyBrief-F-web.pdf Technical Report on Student Learning (CARET) - http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=answers&QuestionID=1 Six Challenges for Educational Technology (Dede) - www.virtual.gmu.edu/pdf/ASCD.pdf Freedom to Learn (Michigan) - http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/stories/edlite-Lansing.html eMINTS (Missouri) - http://www.emints.org/