Jayme Cilente
SLM 521
Summer 2006
Article Critique
Drew Tiene and Pamela Luft observed and videotaped four middle school classes using the Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom, a specially designed facility where students and teachers experiment with the latest technology. Their primary goal was to find what hardware and software should be provided in a classroom or laboratory in order to make the most of student learning. Tiene and Luft surveyed both the students and teachers to find out which hardware and software were most practical and effective in the technology-rich classroom setting. They found that the most useful hardware were computers, printers, and digital cameras, followed by a document camera, video/computer projector, CD player, and VCR. The most important software in the classroom was a word processor, a Web browser, and presentation software. Overall, Tiene and Luft recommend that students and teachers should have access to well-equipped facilities in order to achieve the most beneficial technology-rich classroom.
There were many important and interesting facts that stood out to me in this article. The first fact is that both students and teachers were able to improve technology skills through use of the Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom. Technology in the classroom is not only important for students to learn more efficiently, but it is also critical that teachers are educated as well as their students in technology. The second finding in this article that was interesting was that teachers felt better able to present materials using technology. I think that if all my classes had a technological component to them, I would have been able to learn and understand more from the class. Lastly, the use of so many different types of hardware and software was important in the classroom. The use of computers, printers, digital cameras, word processors, and presentation software extends far beyond the classroom and knowledge of these areas has helped me in not only my educational studies, but also in advancement of my career and personal life.
Tiene, D. & Luft, P. (2002). The Technology-Rich Classroom: What would your teachers put on their
wish list? American
School Board Journal. Retrieved