Opinion Column

By Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, Don Knezek, CEO of ISTE,
and Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director of SETDA

The U.S. Department of Education recently made page-one headlines with a study that concluded that 15 educational software products used in K-12 schools had no measurable impact on student performance. From this study, it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that education technology has no impact and is a poor use of the limited resources available for our schools. That has certainly not been the experience of countless schools, districts, and states across the country - primarily because these schools recognized that simply putting software in the classroom is not how educational technology transforms education. Technology is a tool that provides students and teachers access to rigorous coursework and resources, gives teachers the data and curriculum to individualize instruction, and allows teachers to teach children in ways that prepare them for the 21st century.

When you consider the discussions about U.S. competitiveness and our students, how can we, with the impact of technology in all other areas of our lives, ignore the potential of using technology as a key tool for education:

• In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, the eMINTS program provides schools and teachers with educational technology tools, curriculum, and over 200 hours of professional development to change how teachers teach and students learn. In classrooms in the same school, the student achievement on statewide tests of students in the eMINTS classrooms was repeatedly between 10 and 20 percent higher than the control classrooms.
• In West Virginia, students receiving access to online foreign language courses performed at least as well as those in face-to-face versions of the classes, providing access to high quality foreign language classes for those in rural areas.
• In Texas, the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP), implemented in middle schools, demonstrated that discipline referrals went down by over one-half with the changes in teaching and learning. In one school, 6th grade standardized math scores increased by 5%, 7th grade math by 42%, and 8th grade math by 24%.
• In Iowa, connecting teachers for sustainable professional development with curriculum interventions resulted in scientifically-based research findings that 8th grade math scores were 14 points higher, 4th grade math scores were 16 points higher, and 4th grade reading scores were 13 points higher than control students.

We also know that assistive technologies enable students with special needs to truly "not be left behind." And, these technologies enable all kinds of learners to do better in school.

During remarks delivered in March, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said, "As technology transforms the way we live, work, and play, schools and educators must become flexible and agile enough to meet students changing needs. And that means tailoring instruction and using time in more innovative ways-so that every child gets the extra help they need when they need it and the rigorous coursework they need and deserve."

This statement is right on target. We must move beyond a debate about "if" technology should be used in schools, and instead focus on "how" technology can be used more effectively to meet the needs of individual students. We cannot let one narrow study undo the potential for all students. Educators do need more and better research about what technology interventions work and for which students. We need to be careful that the technology "baby" is not thrown out with the bathwater.

Educational transformation only happens with a systemic approach that is backed by solid visionary leadership. Educators and innovative teaching techniques will transform education. Technology is simply a tool, but it can be a transformative tool when thoughtfully used.

Too many of our classrooms still are providing a 19th century learning environment to educate today's "digital natives." Our students and teachers - and our country - deserve better.

CoSN is the Consortium for School Networking www.cosn.org
ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education www.iste.org
SETDA is the State Education Technology Directors Association www.setda.org

• ‹ previous
• 132 of 144
• next ›