EdTech-541 Journal Article Summary

Summary: The Effects of Teaching and Learning Through Technology

Title: “What Students Think About Technology and Academic Engagement in School:

Implications for Middle Grades Teaching and Learning”

Name: Alyssa James

Date: 12/10/09

Reference: Lee, John & Spires, Hiller (2009). What students think about technology and academic engagement in school: Implications for middle grades teaching and learning. AACE Journal, 17(2), 61-81.

Problem: The authors of the study explore the utilization of 21^st century technology by middle grade students, and their needs to be able to successfully engage in modern technology settings. The current problem with research on the topic is that little investigation has been done involving direct opinion from middle grade students. The authors made no direct hypothesis about their predictions for their findings, but created their study based on previously published studies.

Context: In the fall and winter of 2006 -2007, 4,000 North Carolina middle grade students participated in one of two, investigative surveys about their needs and uses in technological 21^st century settings. The study also gathered findings from 48 students that participated in one-hour focus group interview sessions. Some of the study included investigation of students K-12 but the authors narrowed their findings to middle grade students.

Participants of the survey were chosen through stratified random sampling from a population of 12, 000 students. The survey was developed by a five-member group of experts in the field of instructional technology and middle school education. Data was analyzed through means of descriptive statistical analyses.

Findings: Overall, based on the uses and thoughts of students, the authors of the study found that students use technology differently in and out of school. The authors argue that in order to facilitate meaningful education through technology “teachers must bridge the gap between students’ uses of technologies.”

Students expressed high frequency use of technology for both in and out of school, however the higher frequency of use occurs in home. Based on what students said in-home use mostly includes: online video viewing, online games, music services, e-mail, IMing, and use of cell phones. Home-based technology use generally facilitates communication and entertainment, with use of smaller handheld devices. For school setting technology students reported high levels of basic computer skills like word processing, spreadsheets, and web research. The use of technology for school settings is largely curriculum based and is usually limited to desktop computers. Students also listed “working with computers” as one of their favorite at school activities.

As of 2005 95% of public school are connected to the internet now, concerns turn to issues about improving the quality of K-12 classrooms to further refine technological skills that can be utilized in real-world settings.

Recommendations: I feel that the authors’ findings are relevant and based on thorough research, and that further research will always be necessary as the advancement of technology will always be transforming in the 21^st century. Also, though the authors refined their implications to middle school students I believe that they can be applied to any student in a school setting.

1. Teachers should be more aware: There is a distinct difference in the way that students use technology in and out of school and educators should consider the roles of technology in children’s lives.
2. Schools should reconsider methods of preparation: In the ever evolving 21^st century there needs to be a transformation in the way that children are prepared for civic, economic, and social life. Curriculum should be suited for 21^st century skills and understanding.
3. Evaluate teacher education and professional development: Teachers should become aware of how the different uses of technology are affecting the ways that children gather, interpret, and use info.
4. Teachers should have creative/flexible attitudes about technology: Teachers should be more open-minded to the possibility of uses of technology in an educational setting. They should also become familiar with or avid users of the technology that their students are using.
5. Students’ voices should be heard: so that teachers may better facilitate learning and education.