Joanna Smith

SLM 521

Article Critique #2

Submitted March 10, 2004

Tiene, Drew and Pamela Luft. (2004, March). The Technology-Rich Classroom. American School Board Journal. Accessed 3 March 2004. http://www.asbj.com/2002/02/0802technologyfocus.html

The Ameritech Electronic University School Classroom, a specialized classroom equipped with the latest technology as well as observation booths, was the site of a recent study conducted by the ASBJ staff. The study focused on middle school classes and their teachers using the technology provided in order to assemble the “necessities” of a typical American classroom. The study found that the most essential hardware of a well-equipped classroom include computers, hard copies, printers, digital cameras, and scanning equipment. The most essential software includes word processors, web browsers, and presentation software. The least essential hardware includes a computer for each student (it seems that only twelve per room is necessary) and videoconferencing cameras. The least essential software are photography manipulation programs.

The study conducted by the ASBJ seems, in my opinion, a little obvious and unnecessary. I think that any teacher in the American school system will select a digital camera over a videoconferencing camera. We will also select word processing over photograph manipulation programs. Most teachers know their own needs well enough to make budget decisions wisely. We know that if we would like our students to utilize the best tools for presentations, they may require scanners, presentation design programs, and printers. If we do not require many projects throughout the year, the general computer lab will suffice. Besides, many teachers do not have the luxury of requesting technology-based resources for their classrooms!

The one interesting point about this article, though, implies that it is not necessary to have a computer per student. It seems that instead of buying a computer for each student in each classroom, the money might be wisely spent on additional hard or software. The idea that there need not be a computer per student allows students to work cooperatively as well as effectively. This assessment may save school districts unnecessary funding.