The Learning Return on our Educational Technology Investment: A Review of Finings form Research

Ringstaff and Kelly have brought together information addressing major results of a few thorough longitudinal research studies such as Apple Classroom of Tomorrow (ACOT) and Project CHILD (Computer Helping Instruction and Learning Development).  These studies took place between 1993 and 2002.  Moreover, visionaries with future projections of technology in the classroom developed these studies.  For this review of literature, studies considered will focus on students’ gains through the use of TEFA. 

As described in the paper, learning from computers includes many uses of computers.  One example of TEFA described by Ringstaff and Kelly is called “tutoring” (2002 p. 3) no matter if it is teacher directed instruction to individual tutoring of drill and practice were the student work independently on the computer.  These computer-aided lessons are TEFA since they pose a question, offer students an opportunity to select an answer, and then provide immediate feedback.

Examples of student gains through the use of computer tutoring include a Pittsburgh, PA high school math class were students worked real-world problems.  These students showed a 25 percent gain in math skills and a 100 percent gain in problem solving. 

Project CHILD (Computer Helping Instruction and Learning Development) was a decade long study.  These students were taught in a ubiquitous technology environment from kindergarten through 5^th grade.  Studies showed that participated in Project Child had better grades and tested higher on state curriculum standards tests than those students that were not part of the study. 

Apple’s ten-year longitudinal study, Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project, included 5 schools in various parts of the United States.  Researchers found in these schools an environment were collaborative learning with students and technology fostered in-depth questioning, thus TEFA.   Like Project Child, Apples project ACOT, students showed enhanced grades and test results from the use of technology during instruction fostering enhanced learning. (Ringstaff and Kelly, 2002)

           

Ringstaff, C., & Kelley, L., (2002). The learning return on our educational technology investment: a review of finings form research. San Francisco, CA: WestEd RTEC. Retrieved from www.wested.org/online_pubs/learning_return.pdf