Week+2+Reflection

Technology Strategies That Positively Impact Student Learning
This week's readings were mostly over the impact technology has over student learning and achievement. In 1999, Schacter produced literature that analyzed 5 large scale studies of education technology. In his conclusion, he stated that using technology produced positive gains on various tests. There was also evidence that learning technology is less effective when the "objective are unclear and the focus of the technology is diffuse." In trying to explain this ineffectiveness, he quoted Dr. Wiske, stating that "...a lot of people think about the technology first and education later." In 2002, Page's stated in his paper that in the 1980s and 1990s funding was geared toward classroom technology, but some researchers claimed the expense was unjustified claiming that methodologies made the difference in learning outcomes, not media. Page's own research study with students of low socioeconomic status, found that though reading levels did not benefit from technology, math achievement, and self-esteem levels were boosted by technology-enriched classrooms. In her 2002 article, Rose and Meyer talks about the positive changes in the Concord, New Hampshire, public school system using the Universal Design for Learning. UDL is "a research-based set of principles that forms a practical framework for using technology to maximize learning opportunities for every student." They state how cultural, educational, and legal changes have altered the types of students in a typical classroom and how technology can help in meeting the needs of the diverse population we face today.

In reflecting over this information, I come away with the realization that technology is a tool just like all other types of resources. Page in quoting Clark, wrote, "Media //is// merely a transport mechanism and you need the appropriate teaching methods in order for any media to be successful". Technology //can// enhance learning, but you still need good pedagogical methods and goals. According to Rose & Meyer, "The materials and methods //(including technology//) teachers use can present students with barriers to understanding or enhance their opportunities to learn." So, I am starting to think that technology //can// impact students in a variety of positive ways if we use the appropriate pedagogical methods. The UDL supports differentiated instruction, where we utilize teaching methods, means of student expression, and monitor student progress with ongoing assessments, to individualize instruction for our diverse population. Technology can be //one// of the tools that can help us differentiate instruction to make a positive impact on student learning.

Page, M. S. (2002). Technology-enriched classrooms: Effects on students of low socioeconomic status. //Journal of Research on Technology in Education//, 34(4), 389–409. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from the International Society of Education http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Number_4_Summer_20021&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=830

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning//. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology web site. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Santa Monica, CA: Milken Exchange on Education Technology. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.mff.org/pubs/ME161.pdf.