K-12 laptop boosters strike back
In the wake of highly negative publicity questioning the value of laptops in K-12, boosters are pointing to study out of Maine showing clear benefits. As reported in the Portland Press Herald:
“…a new study due out this summer by the Maine Education Policy.Research Institute at USM shows that the machines can improve student performance, said David Silvernail, institute director.
Hundreds of classrooms in study
“Funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, the study looked at 240 mathematics classrooms in 45 middle schools across the state. In half of the classrooms, the teachers were given two years of training to help them adapt the laptops to their teaching. The students in those classrooms tested up to four months ahead in mathematics skills compared to students with teachers who had no professional training.
“Silvernail said an analysis of last year’s MEA writing scores showed a similar improvement when teachers know how to use the laptops as a tool for editing and revising, and not just as a typewriter.
“He said the reason only writing scores have shown improvement is that writing is the only portion of the MEA in which students are called upon to use the problem-solving skills that benefit from effective laptop learning. He said the reading and mathematics sections of the MEA test basic knowledge and do not measure a student’s ability to analyze and synthesize information.
‘Signifigantly higher’ writing scores
“‘When teachers use the laptop as an instructional tool around writing, the kids score significantly higher,’ said Silvernail, who is scheduled to report the mathematics study results to federal education officials next week.
“Maine educators also attribute the success of Maine’s program to the professional training provided to teachers.”
Related: News stories compiled by researchers at the University of Southern Maine. Also, hear a conversation with a Maine edtech official and read Apple’s perspective.
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