Technolgy in the Classroom Does Help Chlidren Learn Better

The Preliminary report of the research study by Marzano that I referred to in my last post is now available.

The following excerpt was taken from the Executive Summary:

“The average effect size for all 85 independent treatment/control studies was statistically significant (p < .0001). When corrected for attenuation, the percentile gain associated with the use of Promethean ActivClassroom is 17 percent ( ). A reasonable inference is that the overall effect of a 17 percentile point gain is probably not a function of random factors that are specific to the independent treatment/control studies; rather, the 17 percentile point increase represents a real change in student learning.” An average “real change in student learning” of a 17 percentile point gain caused by the Promethean Activclassroom is remarkable and vastly exceeded my expectations. Additionally, the conclusion states, “The meta-analytic findings suggest relatively large percentile gains in student achievement under the following conditions: · a teacher has 10 years or more of teaching experience · a teacher has used the technology for two years or more · a teacher uses the technology between 75 and 80 percent of the time in his or her classroom · a teacher has high confidence in his or her ability to use the technology” The “relatively large percentile gains in student achievement under the following conditions” caused by the Promethean Activclassroom is a “29 percentile gain.”


To get the details from this report and other helpful information from Promethean, go to www.prometheanresearch.com .

Using Technology For Higher-Level Thinking: Am I?

I have been reading a lot of blogs lately. I am overwhelmed with the number of ways teachers have used technology in the classroom. I have barely tapped the surface of what can be done. Every time I read something new I want to try it. Is it too much? I guess I have come to a point of reflection. Am I integrating technology because it is fun and I enjoy trying new things, or because it is good for students and their academic growth?

Robert Marzano's research shows that students whose teachers use technology 75% of the day will have greater academic growth than those students whose teachers do not use technology. The study focuses on the use of the Promethean Activboard, but I bet if I looked for more research I could find something about 1:1 computing as well. Marzano’s research also talked about that the true academic growth for students came from the training of teachers and their ability to use the technology effectively.

I have many tools available to use; plenty of computers, Moodle, an Activboard and all the web 2.0 resources. I find myself using them a lot and the students are enjoying the activities and are very engaged. Many of my students lack a strong base of knowledge. I do spend a lot of time building background knowledge. The technology keeps the students engaged as we review material, build vocabulary and other basic information. I do worry that I am not using the technology to help students move beyond the basics. Teaching in gifted education should be about critical thinking and working beyond the basics.

I believe I am getting the training I need integrate technology in my classroom. I know when and how to use it. I have been so focused on using the technology that I may have forgotten my purpose in teaching. I plan to spend my weekend reflecting on whether or not my use of technology is engaging my students in higher-level thinking or just recall and basic comprehension. My guess is I am, but I need to spend more time when I plan my use of technology to ensure that it focuses on higher-level thinking.

I would love to hear from other teachers and how they are using technology to go beyond the basics in their classroom.

Super Science Sites

Children learn best through play. The following interactive science sites make learning fun. Reinforcing skills with games keeps my students asking for more. Most of these sites work well on interactive whiteboards like the Activboard.

FossWeb has a variety of engaging activities for grades k-8. The simulations help students apply skills that they may have learned. They can also be fabulous tools to introduce a topic and get students excited about a new concept. The Rube Goldberg simple machines simulation is my favorite.

Edheads has simulations on the topics of human body, simple machines, weather and more. These interactive actives require students to follow a story and complete an activity. The weather activity had student learn about weather prediction and then predict the weather as if they are doing a weather report on the news.

Bitesize offers short activities on living things, materials, physical processes. I love the fact that you can inbed the activities on a website or blog. I will defiantly be adding a few to my class’s Moodle.

Scholastic’s Magic School Bus has much more that simulations. There are games and a large number of resources for students, teachers, and parents. This site is a wonderful compliment to the informative book series.

Argosy’s Visible Body is the most intriguing site I am sharing. It is billed as “the most comprehensive human anatomy visualizing tool available today.” Students will be amazed with the 3D images of the body. You can look at any part of the body from any angle. Activboard using health teachers will be in anatomy heaven.

It is time to put on your lab coat and enjoy!