Technology Equals Student Success

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Technology Equals Student Success

In the past a typical classroom was completely teacher-directed and contained the usual materials consisting of a chalkboard, textbooks, pencil, and paper. However, over the past decade that has drastically changed. Now days, most classrooms are equipped with multiple computers, projectors, ActiveBoards, document cameras, and teachers have access to mobile labs, iPads, and much more. Technology, which was once thought to make teaching easier for teachers, is now being used primarily by students as a way to increase their level of achievement. Research has shown, “the power of simultaneous, multiple modes of input to gain and hold a person's attention and to improve memory”, which is exactly where technology comes into play. (Silver-Pacuilla & Fleischman, 2006).

The most important effect that technology has on student learning is its ability to assist both struggling students and those with learning disabilities. According to Silver-Pacuilla & Flesichman (2006), a study completed by Lewandowski and Montali proved that poor readers could perform as well as skilled readers in both word recognition and retention by using a text-to-speech application that contained simultaneous on-screen highlighting as well allowing students to obtain the information visually and aurally. Lance Huebner, a special education teacher in Missouri, recorded narration to a book onto a portable mp3 player which allowed students with reading disabilities to follow along with the reading and fully participate in a reading project with their regular education peers. They were also given an audio format option for their final for the project (Langhorst, 2007). According to Langhorst, this “empowered the students and gave ...

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...am, 2005). Not only will technology skills improve student learning, but those skills will also prepare them for a future which will rely heavily on the latest technological advances that are becoming so evident in almost every line of work.

References

Azzam, A. M. (2005). Digital Opportunity. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 89. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Burns, M. (2005). Tools for the Mind. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 48. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Davis, A.P. & McGrail, E. (2009). The Joy of Blogging. Educational Leadership, 66(6). Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Langhorst, E. (2007). After the Bell, Beyond the Walls. Educational Leadership, 64(8), 74. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Silver-Pacuilla, H., & Fleischman, S. (2006). Technology to Help Struggling Students. Educational Leadership, 63(5), 84. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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