DePaul Straub

CAPSTONE Rough Draft

April 30, 2015
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Technology
Integration in American Classrooms

Technology has been an important part of the classroom since its inception. As the first
learning institutions were created, stone tablets were introduced to cavemen; allowing them to
read and write for the first time. Fast forward in time to 1823 when radio systems were first
introduced into classrooms, creating a unique learning experience never before seen. Soon, in the
1830s, the overhead projector came to fruition, followed quickly by the camera and televisions.
Soon computers, whiteboards, calculators, scantrons, and internet access became the foundation
of any American classroom. As the Country has moved into the 21st century, its education
system has remained true to the development of technology it was founded on; embracing new
technologies like smart boards and tablets that allow students to achieve like never before.
The realm of education has embraced this change head on, pushing for more and more
technology usage in classrooms across the country. Devices like tablets, laptops, phones, and
computerized boards are being placed into schools at tremendous rates, revolutionizing what we
previously saw as the stereotypical education. As this push has been made, we are forced to
consider whether or not the increased technology is being used in an effective way that allows
for expanded student opportunity and greater student achievement. The influx of technology in
the American classroom has created a revamped curriculum that embraces effective use of
technology and 21st century learning to improve performance of students across the country.

Specific technologies such as advanced tablets, boards, and laptops have come to the
forefront of classroom technology that we see today. These devices are being used more and
more across the country to aide students in better understanding their content and mastering it at
levels never before imagined. Tablets and laptop computers have become the most widely used
form of technology. According to a study conducted by PBS Learning Media in 2012, One Third
of teachers surveyed said that they used a tablet or e-reader in the classroom, a number that
skyrocketed 20% from 2011. 69% of the teachers also stated that classroom technology does
much more than ever before for their students. Tablets and other computer devices allow for
teachers to create lessons using webpages with a variety of different functions. Computer
systems also allow teachers to use social media and other various forms of media to further their
content and keep in touch with their students.
Smart boards have also become a large part of the changing realm of technology in
education. Boards with interactive technologies allow for students to dive in depth with the
content and have a physical connection with the information that they are learning. Many
teachers find lesson planning to be easier when they know that they have ways such as boards to
expand the various techniques in which they can teach material. Many board integration
programs have seen great success, but most only see large increases in student success if the
boards are being used effectively. This means that the boards need to actually be used frequently
to generate class discussions or further a lesson plan prepared by the instructor rather than simply
using the board as a projector.
There is no doubt that technology will continue to change the way we see education well
into the future, but the amount of change to be seen is still undetermined. The 21st century has
marked a revolution in classroom technology, changing nearly everything we once knew to be

the standard public education. Now, classrooms are embracing technology at even higher rates,
opening the doors to student creativity and intrinsic motivation.
Training has proven to be one of, if not the most, important factor when
considering the effectiveness of classroom technology integration. Teachers serve as the roots of
the technology integration chain. Since ultimately, teachers will be the ones using the devices,
they should also be the ones best trained on how to use them. Many teachers and school systems
have fallen short of this ideal as time required to teach such skills varies by teacher and time is
hard to find on a busy school calendar. As stated in a 2012 survey conducted by OpenColleges,
91% of teachers surveyed had computers in their classroom, but only 1 out of every 5 teachers
felt that they had the right level of technology training. If the country as a whole decided to step
up teacher technology training requirements, each and every single one of our teachers would be
more likely to be effective at increasing our students success.
Teacher training is also important for the sake of the teacher. Not only will it help
the students learn better, but it will also provide a faster and easier way for teachers to plan
lessons for their curriculum. By having a deeper understanding of what is available to them,
teachers would be more likely to create engaging technology-inclusive lessons for their
classrooms. Without the required training, teachers can struggle to move away from the basics of
power points and lecture style classes. Opening the door to students through the use of
technology also opens a door to teachers that allows them to further explain their content in new
ways never before seen or even imagined.
Responses from those invested in Americas education system have remained mostly
positive, while still considering some criticism. These community opinions and criticisms are
extremely important because they reflect the views of technology held by the public as a whole

as well as where they value a good technology-based education. These opinions can help
counties and school systems make tough technology decisions when it comes to the costs of the
devices as well as their effective implementation.
Student response to increased technology in the classroom has remained for the
most part positive. Students have embraced the technology wave head on allowing for more and
more opportunities to be thrust upon them. Most students have found that they are fans of
increased educational technology, but there are some who are still tied to their old ways. The
OpenColleges survey showed that 56% of students believed that they actually studied better and
more efficiently with a tablet or laptop than they would have had they not had a device. This
speaks volumes about how todays society was raised, born into a world of technology, raised in
the age of the computer. It also speaks to what students of this generation are comfortable with as
many of them appear to be more efficient using an electronic device rather than a physical copy
of something. Although the students have a large say in educational media, they are not the only
voices that matter in settling the issues.
Teachers have also made it a point to get their voices heard during this transition to the
21st century modern classrooms. The teachers have tended to be a little more critical of the
system, claiming that improper training and defective technology renders the change useless in
the eyes of the students. Other teachers have taken on the challenge of integrating technology,
making it a daily part of their classroom discussions and lessons. The conflicting views between
teachers also highlights the disconnect between the generations of teachers. Many young
teachers are more likely to embrace the revolution, partly due to their own education. Older
teachers are more likely to ignore the change, opting instead, to continue using their own
methods while trying to use only the technology that is needed to get by. This sharp disconnect

between the teaching age mimics that of the system itself; those involved now being more open
to the idea while those from previous generations dismiss the revolution all together.
Parents serve as the final voice taken into consideration when looking into details about
the effectiveness of educational technologies. Although they do not often experience the
technology first hand, they are quick to come to the defense of the changing system. Parents have
tended to side with the belief that the increase in technology is benefiting student achievement
rather than hurting it. Many parents also have their own ideas about what education their child
should be receiving, often making it impossible for school systems to please everyone. Even
though some parents remain skeptical of the changing system, most realize that the country has
made a step in the right direction in terms of furthering the success of our students.
These opinions from the various different groups allow for leaders in the education field
to make important decisions on what technologies should be introduced in the classroom, how
they are being used, and how students feel about the increase. These opinions can also be used to
gauge the future of educational technology. If mostly positive feedback continues to flow from
all three groups, we are likely to see and even larger increase in classroom technologies. If the
feedback begins to turn negative, many systems will reevaluate their plans, making sure that
those receiving the technology are get the benefit of the increase.
As the world has become more connected than ever before, it becomes clearer that it is
quickly becoming necessary for a successful education. The world itself has become extremely
dependent on technology as many people now use it on a daily basis. It has even become hard to
escape the world of technology as it is continually being placed all around us. Higher education
has also accepted this change, making more and more online classes available each and every

year. School systems who put a focus on using effective technology in their classrooms are more
likely to see increased achievement of their students and increased quality of the instruction.
By putting technology into k-12 schools, we open up a whole new world that prepares
our students for future success. As colleges and the job market now require strong skills with
technology, it has become important to start introducing technology early on. By starting a
childs education with technology, you prepare them for their future endeavors in higher
education and the American job market. School systems that are teaching technology in k-12
classrooms have seen great increases in student performance, both inside the schools and in their
lives as a whole. By becoming more technologically advanced in the classroom, students receive
the advantage of having their foot in the door of future colleges and job markets.
Increasing the technology in the classroom also increases student creativity. New
technologies allow for students to adventure out on their own, increasing the likelihood of
students discovering new ways to collaborate and learn. As more technology is added, more
opportunity is granted to the students. Creativity, a characteristic much needed to succeed in
todays society, is fostered through the effective use of technology. This creativity is fostered by
the abundance of programs available to students and even enables the student to continue to
grow their creativity skills.
One of the only things holding schools back from greatly increasing the amount of
technology in their schools is the cost of the actual devices. Smart Boards can cost up to $6,000 a
piece, tablets $300, and laptops $400. These expensive prices per unit are the biggest reason why
we have not greatly increased technology in schools on a nationwide basis. Naturally, some
school districts have more money available for purchasing technology than others. These high

costs make it difficult for many school systems to afford them. For those who can afford the new
technology, they too must often limit the amount of money that they can spend on the devices.
The benefits, however, greatly outweigh the cost of the devices themselves. The duration
of their use and their multiple uses provides potential that is way more prominent than the initial
costs of the technologies. For example, a smart board that initially costs $6,000 will last for years
on end, providing hundreds of students with a better education over a long period of time. The
multiple uses of the devices also allows for them to be used in various ways over a span of time,
never tiring and endlessly receiving new functions.
In all, the increase of effective technology in our schools has held a positive impact on
our education system as a whole. Test scores and student performance have increased to all-time
highs, expected to continue soaring into the future. The effective use has completely transformed
the way we see education and will continue to shape it throughout the coming centuries.