Author: Douglas Ayega
University of North Texas, Denton USA
Department of Learning Technologies,
douglasayega@my.unt.edu
Abstract
This study investigates the hype that is linked with the success of integrating technology in teaching. Without considering other factors that impact a successful education process, the role of educational technologies in improving educational practices need to be investigated. The current study sought to investigate the impact of incorporating computer technologies on learner academic performance. The study used a randomized controlled trial consisting of three groups, two of which were intervention groups and the other a control group. This investigation utilized one control group and two randomly selected experimental groups of participants (A and B) from a Biology class in an alternative high school. In the first experimental group (A), each student was assigned a laptop, a chrome book, or an iPad which they used without restriction (Unlimited access). In the second treatment group (B), students were assigned tablets, but they remained flat on top of the desk. The control group (C) were not allocated any of these devices.The study took three months and none of the students knew that they were under investigation. Towards the end of the semester, in one of the lectures, students were exposed to a test quiz after the lecture that was delivered in two formats. The first format involved half the participants use laptops with unlimited access while the lecture was underway, while the second group closed their laptops. The test and final scores for their grade in biology class were analyzed and compared. The standard deviation calculated based on their final scores in the Biology class was negative among students who had unrestricted access to technology. This study concluded that unrestricted access to technology may have negative effects on student’s performance and graduation rates. Similarly, the use of computers could be detrimental to male students than to female students especially those male students who were enrolled in the school with a very high GPA or score grades.
Keywords: Education technology, technological tools, iPad, Chromebook, Biology.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Suggested Citation
Ayega, D. (2020). Education technology: A study on the success of using technology in teaching. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 7(1), 75-83. Available online at http://arjess.org/education-research/education-technology-a-study-on-the-success-of-using-technology-in-teaching.pdf
