EDLD+5364+-+Week+2+Reflection

After reading over the materials this week I was somewhat disappointed by the age of the studies. John Schacter's study on the "The Impact of Education Technology on Student Achievement" presents intriguing data. The issue is that a study of technologies impacts on education that is over 10 years old no longer fits into the world of technology we currently exist in. 1999 was Windows 98, dial-up internet, and CRT monitors. There were no ipods, iphone, and the mp3 sharing revolution had only just begun. The tools available have evolved many times. Technology changes every day. I'm known for saying that any publication on current technology is out of date by the time the printer finishes.

The students in these old studies showed improvement. I would expect similar results from a current study but with one exception. I would expect the improvement to be even greater. 2011 students have substantially more experience with technology than 1999 students. Home computers, student-owned laptops, and super powerful smartphones are now the rule instead of the exception. I would love to see such an extensive study done on the impact of the use of the most current tools available on student achievement