Article Critique 1

Article Critique 1

Courtney Taylor

FRIT 7237

9-12-21
Article Critique 1

Grant, M.M., Ross, S.M., Wang, W., & Potter, A. (2005). Computers on wheels

(COWS): An alternative to ‘each one has one’. British Journal of Educational Technology,

36(6), 1017-1034. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2005.00571.x

Summary

With an increase in access to technology in schools, a study was conducted to gather

results about the effectiveness of computers to student ratios, and how their learning was affected

for both teachers and students. At this particular school, there were four fifth grade classes

involved in the study, sharing two computer carts with 15 computers on each. Results from the

study concluded that the teachers were competent in their use of technology and used

instructional strategies and practices that empowered their students to utilize the technology.

Critique

My initial reaction to the article was that it was interesting because it directly applies to

what I do with my job. It was fascinating to read about the effects of technology within the

classroom. I was pleasantly surprised to read that the teachers’ use of technology was applicable

to the students' learning and it did, in fact, benefit them. I was not expecting such a positive

outcome from the study. I do wish that the observers would have conducted some unplanned

observations of the teachers. Observations tend to not see the full picture when it is all planned

out. To understand a “real life” classroom use of technology, it would have been useful to

conduct some visits unplanned.

I thought the discussion portion of the article was very helpful and interesting. It was

valuable to have the discussion laid out by the research questions that were provided previously

in the article. It was very detailed and the questions were answered thoroughly.
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It was valuable to explain about the reliability of the researchers. “In a reliability study

(Lewis, Ross & Alberg, 1999), pairs of trained observers selected the identical overall response

on the five-category rubric on 67% of the items and were within one category on 95% of the

items” (Grant et al., 2005). Knowing that the observers are on the same page when conducting

their observations is crucial to knowing the reliability of the research. This was very well done.

As a current elementary school media specialist, this article directly applies to what I do

every day. Our school is 1:1, and my own beliefs around this initiative differ day to day. When

you see cases like this where the outcome is positive and the students’ learning is benefited, I am

totally on board. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and some teachers use computers as

busy work or an escape from behavior issues. In order to utilize technology effectively, there has

to be some middle ground. I liked that these students were only using the technology for a

portion of the day. The problem with 1:1 is that they have them all day every day. It is up to the

teacher when they are being used. I believe a healthy option would be for teachers to utilize them

at certain points of the day, in certain lessons, when applicable. This article has definitely opened

my eyes to some things, and I hope to start conversions within my school and district.
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Article Critique 1

Reference