This article discussed a study whose purpose was to determine if student learning would be enhanced with state of the art technology. It was suggested that the results of this study could be used as a guide for ordering hardware and software for computer labs. In the study four middle school classes were observed at the Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom on Kent State University campus in Ohio. This laboratory holds cutting edge technology and software. Each semester two classes were sent to the laboratory, each for half a day, five days a week and were observed from behind one-way glass. There were 12 computer stations available in the laboratory and a technology specialist was available at all times to assist both teacher and students. The results indicated teachers felt both they and the students improved their skills in working with technology. They felt students enjoyed the teacher presentations more and their teaching was more effective. Assignments could be individualized and students worked more independently. Because the classes contained more students than computer workstations, students had to work in groups of two or three and this promoted an increase in interaction and cooperative learning among the students.

This was an interesting article. It is always difficult to determine how to spend money upgrading computer equipment and software. Technology changes so rapidly that schools cannot keep pace with the changes. That is why it is important to choose technology and software that will be useful for a variety of purposes and a relatively long period of time. This was a unique way of exposing teachers to new technology and hopefully intelligent purchasing decisions were made by the schools involved in the study. As a high school teacher, I disagree with the teacher?s opinion that 12 workstations were enough. There is more collaborative work at the middle school level than at high school; perhaps that is why the teachers felt they had enough workstations. Students at the high school level do more independent work and should have one workstation per student. While it is possible to have students work together and use less than all available hardware, it is not possible to add hardware when independent work is desired.

Tiene, Drew & Luft, Pamela (2006). The Technology-Rich Classroom: What would your teachers put on their wish list?, American School Board Journal, February 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2006 from source.