Stacey Colby

10/4/03

SLM521

Technology In Schools: Some Say It Doesn’t Compute!

This article focuses on the down side of technology in the classroom. The article cites comments from students and teachers alike who share concerns about the use of technology and learning. The correlation between student achievement and internet use is not easily proven. One study finds that because of the language interaction, a child’s one-on-one contact with an adult produced far greater gains than those achieved when played on a computer (Healy, 1998). Other studies have failed to show a significant increase in student performance and technological learning. The concerns that teachers have are that students would not have the interaction that they need to develop social skills; the software used may be out of date due to the rapidly changing pace of technology, physical problems like carpal tunnel syndrome may occur, and the reliability of the equipment. The students feel that there are not enough computers for each student and the servers are very slow. One student states “In social studies we do not use the social studies books because they are from the 1980’s and they are falling apart. Our school chose to spend money that they could have used to upgrade our social studies books to buy computers. Almost everyone in school has used them only once, but we would use our books every day (Chaika, 1999).”

I agree with this statement and this philosophy. I can’t see a need for such an emphasis on computer use when the classroom learning suffers as a result. Is it ever going to be possible for a school to have a computer for every student and the proper updated software? Probably not. Meanwhile, those dollars could be spend elsewhere to help all students and teachers have supplies they need to teach current lessons. Technology is best served to supplement classroom instruction, not become the basis for instruction. Most children would need practice at home, if they even have access to a computer. It may be harder to monitor student work on computers because it is an individual activity. There is no question that computers are ‘motivating’ to children – but are they motivated to learn or just play with the computer? (Healy, 1998). This is definitely something to think about.

Chaika, Glori. Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn’t Compute! Education World. 1999.