Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement (Week 10)

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm

This was a very informative article regarding the use of technology to improve student achievement. Among the topics of this article, it discussed the amount of money being filtered into the field of technology to come up with more up-to-date materials, and many ways to improve students’ achievement through the advances of technology.

Many different types of technology have been developed to support and enhance learning. Everything from video content and digital moviemaking to laptop computing and handheld technologies have been used in classrooms, and new uses of technology such as podcasting are constantly emerging. Different technologies deliver different kinds of content and serve different purposes in the classroom. For example, word processing and e-mail promote communication skills; database and spreadsheet programs promote organizational skills and graphing skills; and modeling software promotes the understanding of science and math concepts.

Some of the ways administration, technology planning teams, and teachers can improve student achievement through technology are as follows:

• Determine key aspects of national and state student learning standards for the school or district to focus on as educational goals.
• Identify specific curricula, practices, skills, attitudes, and policies that can be enhanced through the use of technology to foster significant improvement in the character and quality of student learning. (For example, if the district is interested in improving students' writing performance, word processing with an emphasis on revision and editing should become a salient part of the curriculum across disciplines.)
• Ensure that teachers are aware of the value of technology for all students, especially those considered at risk of educational failure.
• Ensure that all students have equitable access to effective uses of technology.
• Ensure that new, research-based approaches to professional development are consistent with the standards.
• Coordinate technology implementation efforts with core learning goals, such as improving students' writing skills, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborate with colleagues to design curricula that involve students in meaningful learning activities in which technology is used for research, data analysis, synthesis, and communication.
• Encourage students to collaborate on projects and to use peer assessment to critique each other's work.
• Create opportunities for students to share their work publicly--through performances, public service, open houses, science fairs, and videos. Use these occasions to inform parents and community members of the kinds of learning outcomes the school is providing for students.
• Learn how various technologies are used today in the world of work, and help students see the value of technology application.
• Collaborate to create a technology plan for the school or district to include students at risk.
• Set one, three, and five-year goals for improving student learning through technology.
• Develop a technology budget to cover costs associated with hardware, software, maintenance, professional development, technical support, etc.