Students and Technology in Education

A Comparison of Traditional Homework and Computer Based Homework. Mendicino, Michael
Journal of Research on Technology in Education. Vol 41 (3) 2009

This article discussed if there was an increase in performance level for students that do their homework using a technology based program versus traditional pen and paper homework. This article discussed different types of technology such as web based classrooms such as blackboard and webct to homework assistant programs such as Masteringphysics, a program developed by MIT. These programs have their advantages and fallbacks.
Students who have access to web based classrooms tended to show little if any signigicant performance improvement. Letting students hand in work online or complete online quizzes which get immediate feedback can actually promote cheating since they can get the correct answers from their friend and they do not have to show how they came up with the answer. This, and the increase in cost this provides for school districts as well as the fact that improvement is not always seen when this type of technology is incorporated makes this not incorporated in secondary schools very often.
The other type of technology, such as masteringpysics, is where homework performance has shown improvement. This program give students step by step guide if they get a problem wrong. For instance, if a student chooses a wrong answer, the programs will say "let me break this down for you". However, students can keep asking for hints until they arrive at the right answer. In my opinion, this type of program will benefit those students who are motivated to learn the material, but for those who just want to get to the answer, this won't help at all. Students could just keep hitting the hint button so they can see the work they should do until they get the answer. However, if a student hands in work without having this tool teachers can look at answers and the work and see where the student is going wrong and so the student is going wrong just as well as a computer program. I think it is better since students will not be fed the answers or the steps to get at the answers so they are more likely to learn from their mistakes.
While these technological advantages may be very beneficial for motivated students, I believe many would be left behind if this type of educational practice was implemented the majority of the time. I think the only way technology can be implemented in a way that students will truly benefit is not in assessments neccessarily, but if we implement technology to help them grasp the concepts and broaden their understanding.


Interview questions

1. What is the most use of technology you have had in your education? How was it used?


2. What is an example of a class where technology was used the least?


3. What about the class that incorporated the most technology did you like?

4. What about the class that incorporated the least amount of technology did you like

5. What do you think about the laptop program that Maine has incorporated? How does it affect you?

6. What ideas do you have to improve this laptop program?

7. When you use technology for educational purposes, how do you use it?

8. Do you have access to internet or computers at home? Are their any programs that you use at school that you may not have at home or vice versa?

9. If a teacher designs a class website, how are you expected to use it?

10. Have you ever been required to take tests/quizzes or hand in homework electronically? Explain.