DePaul Straub

CAPSTONE Paper
Mr. Conway
May, 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 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
such as smart boards and tablets that allow students to achieve greatness 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 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 computerized 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 (1). Tablets and other 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 programs to further their content and keep in touch
with their students.
Smart boards, which connect computers to interactive white boards, have also become a
large part of the changing realm of technology in education. Smart 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. A National Gallop poll
reported that on average, 71% of parents are satisfied with the education their children are
receiving. In Henrico County, Virginia, this rate has skyrocketed to 95% due to the introduction

of a one on one laptop initiative. In this program, the county provides laptops to each student in
middle and high schools for the purpose of increasing their 21st century learning skills as well as
introducing new and creative methods for exploring and going in depth with the content provided
by the state. The program has proven to be a huge success, increasing communication between
instructors and students as the laptops may be taken home (ETC). This and many other initiatives
from across the country have furthered the push for education in modern day classrooms,
showing great strides in student achievement and opportunity.
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. Not only must this creativity be
explored and created by students, but it must also be fostered in a successful faculty.
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. A survey from 2009 taken by The National Center for Education Statistics
found that a mere 61% of teachers believe that the training provided by their school staff
prepared them to make efficient use of educational technology (3). This number proves that
many teachers feel overwhelmed by the various technologies, a weight that could be lifted
through longer or more intense training. 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. A study conducted by the
LEAD commission showed that 74% of teachers think that it is important for schools to make
good use of technology in educating students, with no teachers classifying it as not important
(8). 61% of teachers believed that America is Somewhat behind the curve in taking full
advantage of technology in education, something that will need to be improved upon in the near
future (11). These statistics show many teachers desire to include technology, while also
highlighting the fact that many believe we have not always done the best job of making sure it
happens.
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. Some 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. This stagnancy by some teachers remains as one of the
biggest problems with introducing technology in the classroom. If counties and school systems
were to simplify how to use their various technologies in the classroom, more teachers would be
likely to jump on board with the idea, implementing technology in all classrooms, rather than
just some.
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. 82% of parents see making good use of technology in educating
students important when asked their opinion. The statistic shows the large majority of parents
who believe that the influx is a positive aspect of their childs education, casting a shadow over
the 2% of parents who think that it is not important. (LEAD 8).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.
Teacher and parent opinions have the biggest influence when it comes to decision
making. It is important for the various educational systems to evaluate the needs of the teachers
first in order to ensure that they are providing numerous ways for their instructors to explain their
curriculum to their students. Meeting teacher needs come first because it is important for the
teachers to be comfortable with the technology they are using, enabling them to work their best.

The parent opinions are also important when looking for feedback because they represent those
who are tied to, but not participants of, an educational system. This gives leaders a valuable
perspective of those outside of the world of education, highlighting new angles and issues to be
addressed. The students are often the last opinions to be looked at, as students are more likely to
complain rather than proposing solutions. With feedback being very similar among students,
systems can have a difficult time finding new issues to address and creating proposals to solve
the problems based solely on student opinions.
The opinions from the three different groups, obtained through surveys and studies, 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.
The 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 be forced
reevaluate their plans, redirecting their affects in order to ensure the betterment of their students.
As the world has become more connected than ever before, it becomes clear that it is
quickly becoming necessary for a quality education. The world itself has become extremely
dependent on technology as many people now use it on a daily basis. Education has specifically
embraced this change, providing teachers with instant access to email, grading systems,
attendance, and many other helpful programs. Higher education has also accepted this change,
making more and more online classes available each and every year. As of 2014, only 5% of
Americans were enrolled in an online class, a number that is increasing by the hour (Gallup).
School systems that 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. Jobs in the Computer Design and Information
Technology fields have increased dramatically over the past few years, changing the face of the
job market as a whole as more and more businesses goes online. 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.
Technology also allows for the increased capacity of a students researching skills. The
internet serves as a very large platform for studies, articles, and other sources, available for use
by students for research. By opening this door of available research to students, we increase the
students ability to discover and analyze this research, preparing them for higher education and
the real world. Preparing students for the unknown future can often be a daunting task, one eased
by the integration of technology. As Jennifer Fleming put it, Teaching in the internet age means
we must teach tomorrows skills today. By teaching tomorrows skills today, we prepare
students for what exists now as well as what is possibly going to exist in the future.
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. Many jobs in todays world
require out of the box thinking, a skill strengthen and fostered by the use of technology. This
creativity is reinforced by the abundance of programs available to students that enable the
student to continue to grow their creativity skills through innovative thinking and diverse
options.
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,
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 and are expected to continue increasing into the future. The effective use has completely
transformed the way we see education and will continue to shape it throughout the coming
centuries through the means of providing unique experiences and new frontiers to be explored.

Technology will continue to shape the way we see education, as new devices are developed and
new programs created. No matter how much more technology is created, the American school
system will be on board, rising to the top of worldwide effective school systems.

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