“Enhanced Student Achievement
As an instructional tool, technology helps all students--including poor students and students with disabilities--master basic and advanced skills required for the world of work. As an assessment tool, technology yields meaningful information, on demand, about students' progress and accomplishments and provides a medium for its storage. As a motivational tool, technology positively impacts student attitudes toward learning, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Indeed, as the following sections demonstrate, these findings are not trivial and represent the many ways in which technology can be used as a powerful tool for enhancing student achievement.”
Student Motivation
The use of technology in the classroom improves students' motivation and attitudes about themselves and about learning. Technology-rich schools report higher attendance and lower dropout rates than in the past.27 Students are found to be challenged, engaged, and more independent when using technology.28 By encouraging experimentation and exploration of new frontiers of knowledge on their own through the use of technology, students gain a greater sense of responsibility for their work--producing higher-quality assignments that reflect the increased depth and breadth of their knowledge and talent.29 And technology energizes students, because they often know more about its operation than do their teachers.30
Increased Family Involvement
Technology offers new and exciting ways for families to increase their involvement in their children's education. Students watch less television, improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills, improve their writing and math skills, and improve their computer skills. Parents communicate more with their children and their children's teachers, are more aware of their children's assignments, increase their own computer skills, use the computer for personal and business reasons (such as working toward a GED), and spend more time with their families.
