Technology : The Positive And Negative Effects On Student Achievement

Abstract

Technology is the technical means people use to improve their surroundings. People use technology to improve their ability to do work. Classrooms around the world have implemented many forms of technology to enhance student interest and achievement. One form of technology that is common to math classrooms is the graphing calculator. One eighth grade math class of nineteen students from an urban middle school was taught a unit on Solving Systems of Equations by Graphing. The unit was implemented with and without the use of the graphing calculator. Students were first introduced to the unit through the use of pencils and graph paper. All the graphing was done by hand and students had to determine the solutions of the systems of equations by proper graphing techniques. The students were then tested at the end of the unit. Students were then given the same unit but were now able to use the graphing calculator as a means to enhance their learning of Solving Systems of Equations through graphing. Students were then tested again but this time they were able to use the graphing calculator during the test. Student achievement for the unit had risen and grades on the assessments had increased due to the presence of technology. Student engagement and interest had also increased due to the presence of technology.