The Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment: "Learning with Technology: The Impact of Laptop Use on Student Achievement"
These authors propose that, compared to students who do not have laptops, the students who do have laptops:
• are involved in more collaborative work
• participate in more project-based instruction
• produce writing of higher quality and greater length
• have increased access to information
• improve their research analysis skills
• direct their own learning
• show a greater reliance on active learning strategies
• readily engage in problem solving and critical thinking
• consistently show deeper and more flexible uses of technology
Teachers who use laptops:
• use a more constructivist approach to teaching
• feel more empowered in their classrooms
• spend less time lecturing
As data measures, the authors in this study looked at end-of-course grades, local district writing assessments, and norm-referenced test results. For each measure they looked at laptop users vs. non-laptop users as not all students participate in the laptop program. At my middle school, only the 7th grade has the laptops (I am still trying to figure this one out?) and each student has one (as long as it is working!)I will be looking at the same kinds of data measures, but will look for trends across time to see if the scores have improved as a result of laptop use since the program began in 2003-04. The data analysis in this study is quite impressive and makes my small inquiry seem a little pale in comparison.
Results show that students in the laptop program attained higher GPAs than those without, a higher percentage of laptop students attained "A" grades in Math and English than those without, overall, a higher percentage of laptop students met or exceeded grade level expectations in writing, and a higher proportion of laptop students scored at or above the national average in the California norm-referenced tests.
The authors discuss the implications of these findings in terms of the usual suspects-more computer access equity, more teacher proficiency and tech skills. They also speak to an "achievement divide" that may develop if the equity issues are not addressed.
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2 comments:
Interesting report, Ann. I went back to skim the report (it was lengthy!) because I was questioning the selection criteria for students as well as the diversity of laptop users vs. non-laptop users. Basically, I wanted to check if it was legitimate.
After reading, I was impressed with both the breakdown of results and the levels of improvement. While it's encouraging to read some research that does give evidence encouraging laptop use, I still question HOW this improvement occurred. Teachers didn't hand over a laptop, say "here, enjoy" and move on with the daily routine, did they? I read about the computer camp that was mandatory for students prior to receiving a laptop, but these teachers must be doing something more to achieve such results.
I'd be interested in seeing how this program affected the professional communities at the school. Did the new "laptop teachers" work better together and isolate themselves or did they discuss their ups and downs with the non-laptop teachers?
Ann, your resource briefly mentioned Beaufort County, South Carolina and their laptop project. I found an article which elaborates on it: http://www.aasa.org/publications/saarticledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3396&snItemNumber=950&tnItemNumber=951
There findings on student achievement were very similiar to what you have mentioned:
"Seventh graders participating in the laptop project for two years maintained their level of academic achievement over time, while non-participants experienced a decline in standardized achievement level."
"Students who were laptop participants for two years and who were on free and reduced lunch benefited most from the project. Their average standardized scores actually increased from 5th to 7th grade. By the end of the second year, these students were scoring as well as students not on free or reduced lunch who were not laptop participants."
I also found it interesting to note that "participation in the laptop project was associated with fewer days of student absences and with less tardiness." Maybe they got the "spark" they needed from using those laptops. Motivation is a powerful thing.
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