Many studies have found that effective classroom technology use positively affects students’ motivation and self-esteem by offering a chance for students to work at their own pace (Underwood and Brown, 1997). Other studies have attributed improvements in school attendance, time-on-task, and pro-social behavior to technology use (Cotton, 1992). The resources below highlight the existing research about educational technology and help educators take on the many challenges of classroom integration.
Founded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the University of Michigan, ACT promotes technology use in disadvantaged communities and pursues its goals through building partnerships among academic, business, and other community organizations.
Researchers at SRI International established CTL to focus their efforts on evaluating the efficacy of technology use in enhancing student achievement. The site contains articles about the organization’s current research projects.
CFL provides surplus federal technology to students in public or private schools, or home schools in the U.S. and its territories.
Originally created by the Benton Foundation (http://www.benton.org/), DDN is now a project of the Center for Media and Community at the Educational Development Center (EDC). DDN provides news and research articles, email discussion groups, blogs, and tools to help educators reduce the digital divide.
FCTD offers “assistive” technology designed to help families of children and youth with disabilities.
ISTE provides leadership and service to educators, driven by the goal of improving education through classroom technology integration. ISTE’s most well-known initiatives are the Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET), National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). Its key publications are Learning and Leading with Technology and the Journal of Research on Technology in Education.
This site, created by a classroom teacher who conducts professional development nationwide, contains a repository of articles about the effects of using handheld computers in enhancing children’s learning.
Learning Point Associates, Inc. provides resources on a vast array of educational topics, including technology integration. See the technology section for case studies, planning guides, research reports, and more.
NCIP provides resources for promoting technology that enhances educational outcomes for students with sensory, cognitive, physical, and social/emotional disabilities.
An initiative of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, The National Education Technology Plan is meant to help motivate technology-driven transformation in America’s schools. The plan uncovers the educational needs of today’s students and reflects on the progress that has been made in connecting classrooms to the Internet, providing students with computers, and equipping teachers with the skills they need to use technology as an instructional tool.
Professional Development specialists at Sun Associates provide free materials for evaluating the impact of technology on learning.
Readers of this online magazine can find reviews of research about educational technology, book reviews, information about funding opportunities, and useful “how to” tips.
Created by researchers at SRI International, this site summarizes analyses of studies about ubiquitous computing in K-12 schools. Users will find scholarly literature reviews, reports about classroom technology use, and evaluation materials here.