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November
25, 2002
Utah schools have invested millions of dollars in computer
technology. And while computers are important, do we really
get a return on that investment?
Several recent studies question whether computers actually
help students learn, or if we're creating a Digital Disconnect.
"The
Great Salt Lake Expedition..."
These fourth graders are using laptop computers to create
a sort-of power point presentation on their field trip to
the Great Salt Lake.
"We
used a digital camera," says student Jessica Ray.
"There was a cord that you connect to the camera. Then
you connect it to the computer and you download it,"
says student Breeane Smalling.
"Click everything to picture, go into the folder and
give them names and stuff," says student Chelsea Delgado.
"We put sentences so a voice in the computer can say
it," says student Suzanna Rivera.
And yes, they learned something on their field trip.
"The
brine shrimp only live in the water," says
one student.
But clearly,
brine shrimp took a back seat to the bells and whistles of
technology.
"My favorite part is putting the pictures in the thing
and watching the pictures and listening to all the sounds,"
says student Austin Hudson.
Obviously, computers are important to students' futures. But
for the millions of dollars Utah schools spend on technology,
who really benefits? Kids, or computer companies?
"I know that they're learning."
"They've
had a so much more rich experience this way than if I had
said, 'here's three pages in our Utah Studies book, read about
the Great Salt Lake,'" says teacher Shauna Starr.
Test scores have gone up here, but the principal attributes
that to teacher microphones that help students hear better.
They can't document the success of computers on student performance.
"No, we don't have that proof."
Nor do state technology leaders.
"As a state study, I'd say 'no, we don't have an actual
study that says this.' Anecdotally, yeah, we've got some great
resources," says Rick Gaisford with the State Office
of Education.
But a growing number of articles and studies from reputable
sources say anecdotes aren't enough, given the money we're
spending on computers.
Each year, the U.S. spends around $5 billion on school computers.
Utah spends at least $9 million.
And some school districts have raised taxes to buy more.
There's always a push to buy the latest and greatest technology
at show-and-tells like this one put on by Apple Computer,
which has a 55 percent share of Utah's school market.
"There's magic or something about being able to control
the computer that really captivates kids," says Brian
Page with Apple Computer.
School administrators know it takes more than magic to ensure
students are really learning.
"I've seen so many products that haven't delivered. Yeah,
you are skeptical," says Jim Henderson with Granite School
District.
So the focus from administrators and vendors is shifting,
from buying, to applying. And not just stocking schools with
computers, but teaching educators how to incorporate them
in meaningful ways.
"Those are some of the issues we need to start dealing
with in the schools," Gaisford says.
Tomorrow, we'll show you ways schools can make the most of
computer learning. You can see if those practices take place
in your children's school.
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