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| 1. |
Write an article on the topic the proper use of computer by the student |
| Answer» Regular use of computers can have an effect on student performance on standardized tests, according to a new study by researchers .The MCAS achievement component of USEIT is the most sophisticated analysis of the relationships between students\' computer use and test performance conducted to date. Building on several shortcomings of past research on this topic, this study collected detailed measures of a variety of student uses of computers in and out of school, controlled for differences in home learning environments, separated effects of teachers\' instructional practices, and controlled for differences in prior achievement by using third grade MCAS scores.\xa0At a time when standardized testing is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the learning experiences of students and instructional practices of teachers, the researchers believe this study provides evidence that students\' computer use does have an impact on student achievement as measured by tests like MCAS. More importantly, they say, the study demonstrates that different uses of computers have different effects on student learning.\xa0"Specifically, this study finds that students\' use of computers throughout the writing process had a statistically significant positive effect on MCAS writing scores," said the study\'s director, Michael Russell of BC\'s Lynch School of Education. "Using computers simply to type in final drafts of essays, however, had no effect on students\' test performance. These findings are consistent with past research and demonstrate the importance of allowing students to use computers to produce rough drafts, edit their papers, and to produce final drafts."\xa0This study also indicates that using computers for recreational purposes had a negative effect on test performance, particularly for reading scores. The authors speculate that this occurs because students who spend more time using computers for recreational purposes at home may spend less time reading at home.\xa0Similarly, the study found that use of computers in school to create presentations was negatively associated with writing test scores. According to the researchers, this negative relationship may result from students spending less time writing during class time and more time creating and revising multimedia projects that contain relatively small amounts of written work. In essence, time spent creating presentations may detract from time available during class to develop students\' writing skills.Adds BC researcher Damian Bebell, the study\'s third author, "Although this study finds some interesting effects of students\' use of computers, teachers in this study generally did not use technology to teach. As more and more schools, districts, and states provide teachers and students with their own laptops, it will be interesting to see if teachers are able to use technology more in the classroom and if these uses add to the effects of student technology use." | |