In What Ways Do Computers Enhance Student Achievement?

Consider some of the ways that computers and telecommunications technologies have enhanced student performance — all supported by research conducted in schools.

By Engaging and Involving Students
To young people, the computer is totally engrossing; they learn without even realizing it. Kindergartners discover the letters of their names, identify shapes, and learn to count while “playing” with well–designed software. Middle–schoolers engage in scientific inquiry when using probeware to test a local waterway for pollution and graph their findings using a spreadsheet. And high–schoolers examine facets of a very different world as they prepare their multimedia presentation exploring the relative influence of monarchy and church on medieval life. All have become active participants in meaningful learning experiences.

By Empowering Students
The new technology allows students to feel a pride of accomplishment when they view their output, be it a neatly formatted report, a colorful chart, or a desktop–published newsletter. Students become active producers of knowledge, whether they are sharing their findings with the world via a Web page or with their classmates via a PowerPoint™ presentation. And the computer’s forgiving nature, which allows even the worst errors to be easily remedied, does wonders for sensitive young egos.

By Fostering the Development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Used for inquiry–based learning, new technologies allow students to develop the very same competencies identified as essential for the modern workplace. They learn to find and organize complex information, recognize trends and patterns, draw inferences, collaborate on a final product, and more. Research studies note that computer–using students demonstrate greater problem-solving and critical–thinking skills compared to students in traditional classrooms (Pogrow, 1996; Chessler, Rockman, and Walker, 1998).

By Ensuring Student Mastery
Because instructional software is an infinitely patient, nonjudgmental, one–on–one teacher, it allows each student to proceed through a topic at his/her own pace and repeat whenever necessary until mastery is achieved. Students preparing for rigorous college–entrance exams find that their task is easier with SAT/ACT preparation software. And where whole–class tutorials are necessary, today’s sophisticated Integrated Learning Systems can track each student’s progress, prescribing lessons appropriate to ability levels.