| Why Technology
in Schools?
In states, school districts and schools
across the country, there is substantial evidence
that technology has become a vital component for the
success of the entire educational enterprise by:
| • |
Improving learning and achievement among urban,
suburban and rural students of all ages and abilities
and aids all students to meet high standards |
| • |
Helping new and aspiring teachers to become
“highly qualified” and experts in
their subject area |
| • |
Providing administrators with better data that
can improve decision-making and policy implementation
|
A review of research, data and case
studies published within the past five years conducted
by the International Society for Technology in Education
(ISTE) and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN),
confirms that technology use in education yields a
broad array of meaningful results:
Technology
improves student achievement in reading, writing,
and mathematics.
As schools strive to meet Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of
2001, technology makes a difference in improving test
scores and helping students reach performance goals.
Technology also engages students in learning; improves
attendance, decreases dropout rates, increases graduation
rates and facilitates parent involvement.
Technology
improves school efficiency, productivity, and decision-making.
School administrators increasingly rely on technology
to accomplish their work, capture and make sense of
data and focus their efforts on measurable results
in student achievement.
Technology
helps teachers meet professional requirements.
E-learning opportunities make it possible for teachers
to upgrade their knowledge, skills, and credentials
in core academic subjects—a requirement of NCLB.
Technology also helps teachers improve their classroom
practices.
Technology
improves learning skills.
Today’s students must learn more than the basics
to be prepared for life. Using technology, students
develop learning skills, such as thinking and problem-solving
skills, information and communication skills, and
interpersonal and self-directional skills.
Technology
can help schools meet the needs of all students.
NCLB requires schools to help
all students learn and achieve. Technology helps schools
create effective, individualized learning environments
for all students, making education more inclusive
in reaching students with special needs.
Technology
promotes equity and access in education.
E-learning opportunities
give economically underrepresented and geographically
isolated students access to core academic content,
digital information and specialized, advanced classes,
a development that brings learning to students wherever
they are.
Technology
improves workforce skills.
Students who
use technology develop the technical and learning
skills, academic knowledge and work habits that are
necessary for success in higher education and the
workplace.
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