Computer for Students
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Applying Computer Technology for Students in Classrooms Research
Ricky Phillips
Global Studies and World Languages Academy
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Abstract
Computers in classrooms were placed in classrooms to help students learn and gather
information. Some students and teachers find computers to benefit them when it comes to
information gathering and lectures while others feel as though its not needed for the
curriculum. Computers can be a distraction when they are used for entertainment purposes.
Some schools can not afford computers because of money issues, however, programs are
being used to add computers into classrooms while working around that issue. These
programs can be found in countries like Russia, the Philippines, and the U.S. The
Philippines put computers into five different schools and Russia has a program for multiple
children to work on one computer. Each country increased in the number of computers
being accessed in classrooms. The purpose of this study is to answer the question of
whether or not computers are important in classrooms and should schools continue to put
computers into the curriculum. Computers for Students 3
Computer for Students
Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................4
Limitations.................................................................................................................5
Methodology.............................................................................................................6
Literary Review.........................................................................................................7
Research...................................................................................................................11
Conclusion................................................................................................................17
References................................................................................................................19
Apendix....................................................................................................................22
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Introduction and Statement of the Problem
Technologies are ideas and objects that we use to help in our everyday needs since
the beginning of the technology age. Through the use of these technological instruments,
we can communicate, work, and even gather information. One instrument includes the
computer. The computer is a type of technology that accesses large amounts of data and
information. Computers not only help with everyday lives, but they can possibly change
the awareness of their surroundings, educate, and train those especially in classrooms.
Computers have a positive and negative effect on high school and college students in
classrooms.
Students in the high school and college levels use computers for a variety of
reasons. The students may use the computers for educational purposes such as gathering
information for an assignment and using word processing programs to write an essay. This
can be an effective way for students to educate themselves where teachers or proctors
cannot teach to their students. Computers, however, can prove to be a con for students in
schools because students can use the instruments for entertainment purposes such as
playing video games and checking their e-mails. This research paper will be providing the
pros and cons of computer education for students in classrooms. This paper will also be
showing the progression of computers within school programs while giving statistics based
on who had access to the computers. Opinions from students in the high school and college
level will be important for this paper because the students are currently working with the
programs.
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Limitations of Study
This paper will contain details about the use of computers in classrooms and
making a comparison between the U.S, Russia, and the Philippines; however, with the
information that was gathered during this research, there were obstacles. Limitations
include not having access to people living in the countries that were studied, more opinions
on the study than facts, and amount of information that each country wants to put out.
These limitations did not impede the gathering of information that was needed to do this
paper. There were sources that were analyzed that proved to be useful for this paper which
helped work around some of those limitations.
Not having access to people from these countries can be an obstacle due to not
getting their perspective on their computer use inside classrooms. Getting information on
native’s country can be a better source than getting it from a foreign country. Money
proved to be another problem preventing travel to the country to ask the people.
Conducting a survey could be a solution because the survey will be sent via internet;
however, many citizens from that country would not know about the survey. Due to these
limitations, the only trustworthy information would be those that were gathered mostly by
the U.S than that of other countries. Another limitation is the fact that information that was
gathered about computers is mostly opinion based. Everybody has their own preferences
on how they use computers for educational purposes in classrooms and whether or not it is
good or bad for them. It is good to get opinions on how students are affected by computers
because this essay focuses on a neutral standing on how it affects the students' education;
however, factual information is needed to have a base to start at. This idea of computers is
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more based on opinions because people write about how computers benefit them in a
positive or a negative way. The main limitation is that facts are needed to understand the
basic knowledge of computers and then applying the opinions to show why computers are
important to students. Another limitation is that people do not like to put out negative
information about their country on the internet. Getting information through media such as
the news is an issue because media controls what is displayed. This can give person, place,
or thing a bad reputation. Since this paper stands on a neutral platform on its affect on
students, not having access to negative impacts on different countries can seriously hurt
this paper. Having these limitations can cause issues creating this paper; however, it’s
possible to get the same results if deep research is conducted on computer education.
Methodology
The information that was gathered on computer education in classrooms proved to
be useful. The information gathered for this research ranged from getting the pros and cons
of computer education to getting high school and college students input on how it affects
their learning style. The way information was gathered was by looking for general pros and
cons of computer education. The United States was the starting point because it was the
easiest to find information on the country. The reason why the U.S is the easiest to research
is because being a native of a country gives a person access to many reliable sources and
access to different people living in the country. There were different ways computers
impacted the students; however, to condense it down from the vast amounts of information,
ways that impacted students the most were used. Not only was one source used which gave
general pros and cons, but also another source which provided specific examples of
computer use in classrooms. These sources were analyzed carefully meaning that it was
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written by a trustworthy person of a high standard or a reliable company. It is true that
anyone can give false information, so these sources were verified by checking the writer’s
resources. By verifying these sources, multiple sources were used to verify the same
information. After gathering the pros and cons that computers have inside classrooms,
reliable statistics were needed for the different countries that are being studied in this
paper. The information had to include the amount of students using computers inside
classrooms and whether or not it has improved over the years. The statistics gathered had to
contain information comparing different dates and show the progression of computer
education. These statistics will be useful because it provides comparisons between the
three countries. Next, specific information pertaining information on Russia and the
Philippines were searched up. The information that was gathered had ways where both
countries were integrating computers into their curriculum. Lastly, specific real life
examples of computers in classrooms affect the countries were searched up. Having these
examples will help this paper be understood better by the readers by showing what could
possibly happen with the use of computers. These examples can help the readers relate and
engage on the idea of computer education. Positive and negative examples computers had
on the students in the country were used give a neutral perspective. A survey with 23
students was also conducted asking them questions on whether they find computers helpful
in classrooms. With the information that was gathered from these sources, verifying the
sources from the authors was important. When information gathering, organization of the
displayed information is another tactic that is important.
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Literature Review
The source, “The Status of Computer and Internet Use in Schools,” provides
statistics on how many students had access to computers and who used the internet. This
source also provided different dates comparing how much the usage improved. Internet
access for students within the school program has almost tripled since the 1994 and the
article explains that with this data, schools have improved on instructional task and
information gathering. This source contains more facts than opinions making it a more
reliable source for gathering information and it eliminates vast amounts of bias.
The source “All public high schools to have internet by 2012”, provides information on
how schools in the Philippines are progressing in the technology world. The source showed
an increase in the amount of students having access to the internet in schools. Compared to
the U.S, the Philippines has showed one of the most improved countries in implementing
computers into the curriculum.
The source “The Evolution of Classroom Technology” provides examples of all the
instruments classrooms had in the past to present. Ranging from the wooden paddle that
was made in 1650, instruments that helped kids learn how to write, to the iPad being
introduced to classrooms. This source provides detailed information on what the
instrument is, the date it was created, and how it was used in the classroom. The most
important information it gave me was the first computer that schools had access to and how
many people were able to use it. It also gave me the most recent computer that was
introduced in schools. With the advancement of technology, computer education will out
do most other learning methods based on the source.
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The source “Effectiveness of Computers in Education” shows how computers are
increasingly being implemented into school programs for students to learn and to interact.
The source gave general pros and cons of computer education has on students. Students use
computers for educational purposes such as using Microsoft processing programs for
writing essays and presentations. These are some of the pros of computer education;
however, there are cons in computer education such as the amount of money it takes to
input computers and the amount of time it takes for students and teachers to learn how to
use the tools. The website shows that the pros outweigh the cons. The source can be bias
because many people do not feel the same as the author does. With the pros and the cons of
computer education, students are being affected in some way with computers.
The source “Integrating Tech in High School” provides examples of how high
school students use computers to help them prepare for important task such as test and AP
exams. The source also shows how teachers and students feel towards computer education
and how it changes the way lessons are taught. In the report, it shows that teachers use
computers as a way to present information, however, the teachers feel as though computers
doesn’t really change the learning style of the students. The students, however, feel
differently because the students feel as though it enhances their learning experience.
Computers help the students be more engaged to learn. The report also emphasizes that
because of the interest of technology, students demand computers. In general, this source
explains how high school students want computers to be implied into their education, and
with that, it will enhance their learning.
The source “Effectiveness of Computer-based education in Colleges” shows how
computers play a role in the college level for education. This source provides information
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on computers giving students access to conduct experiments. It is true that computers are
expensive; however, experiments can be even more expensive. Computers at the college
level are not only used for educational purposes, but also used for instructional purposes.
This source made its point clear by saying that computers in classrooms at the college level
has made a small, but significant change in students academics.
The source “The Pros and Cons of Using Computers in the Classroom” provides
specific pros and cons of adding computers into education. The source summarizes that the
pros of having computers in the classroom is that it makes the job easier for teachers to
instruct their class and it can make the students more engaging. An example of a con shown
in the article is that computers do not help with grammar mistakes unlike teachers. In this
source, the Pros outweighs the cons, however, the author is on a neutral standing saying
that computers can positively and negatively affect classrooms. This source can be biased
because some students may not agree with the pros and cons that the author stated.
The source acquired from Inquirer.net provides information about how schools in
the Philippines are implementing computers into the classrooms. The source provides
examples of different schools bringing computers into their education. From teachers using
chalkboards to display information to having lectures on the computer, schools such as
Samar National high school and Calbayog City National high school are being provided
computers into the classrooms. This article also has a student who expresses how they feel
on computers being easily accessed inside the classroom to do work. Like the U.S, the
Philippines are showing improvement in the implementations of computers into education
based in the article and it is believed that all students will have access to computers in the
future.
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The article written by K. Steve explains the progression of technology into
education. The main goal of the Russians was to have programming and other computer
type education into the curriculum to enhance student learning. This source provides
percentage on the access of the internet to students and the amount of computers that are
accessed to them while comparing it to other countries. With this in mind, the country have
shown improvement shown in the article.
Main Body of Paper/Argument
Education is a process in which people, usually students, receive instructions to do
something. With the education that is acquired, these people use that knowledge to help
with daily needs. Some things, however, can not be shown without the use of computers
because it can not be easily done, so people turn to computers. Computer education helps
people research and study things that are not usually accessible. In the past, computers
were not accessed and people used things such as a wooden pad, which was created in
1650, to practice their alphabets (Dunn, 2011). As time progressed in the U.S, more
instruments were made to enhance education until computers were placed in public
schools. Public schools in the U.S. averaged about one computer for every 92 students in
1984 (Dun, 2011). Some schools in today’s society have progressed so much that iPads
were placed into classrooms to give students different options to gather information from
the internet. Nearly 100 percent of public schools in the United States have access to the
Internet, however in 1994, only 35 percent of schools, and ninety-seven percent of the
access was broadband and 45 percent of schools had wireless access (Bybee, Powell, &
Trowbridge, 2010). The ratio of students to instructional computers with Internet access in
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public schools is 3.8 to 1 (Bybee, Powell, & Trowbridge, 2010). This shows the
progression of technology from the 1950s to the 21st century.
Computer education is shown preferably at high school and college levels because
students know the basics on how the computer works and how to use it for research.
Inclusion of computer education is said to benefit students in these levels helping with
some grammar mistakes, such as spelling errors, and even expand the way students retrieve
information through the use of puzzles, videos, and academic games to solve specific
challenges (Karehka, 2012). This type of learning is a way to expose students to a different
learning style and apply some of that information into everyday lives. Some students are
visual and interactive learners which has a possibility to improve their academic
performance. having computers in the classrooms is that the internet allows students to
access vast amounts of information and communicate with different cultures that may be
located in different parts of the world, where the computer can contain information many
do not know ("Educational Technology: Effectiveness of Computers in Education," n.d.).
A survey for this paper states that out of the 23 students, 20 students, or 87%, used the
computer for research inside the classroom (Appendix A). Not only students can benefit
from computers, it also provides different ways for teachers to teach in a classroom.
Teachers can display information to students using tools such as PowerPoint and Prezis
("Educational Technology: Effectiveness of Computers in Education," n.d.). Research was
conducted on the way computers influenced students and it showed that out of the 23
students that were surveyed, all 23 students have said that they find computers useful in the
classrooms and other parts of the school (Appendix B). Computer education can prove to
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be beneficial in classrooms for students; however, computers in classrooms can negatively
impact education.
Computers negatively impact students in numerous ways. Some negative
consequences that indirectly affects students includes the cost to add computers into
classrooms, and when schools can afford it, they spend large amounts of money to add
computers into classrooms when the objective is unclear ("Educational Technology:
Effectiveness of Computers in Education," n.d.). It’s reasonable to not have technology in
a classroom that doesn’t require them and schools should use that money to benefit their
students in different manners. Cons that directly affect students include problems ranging
from computers inability to teach punctuation, paragraphs, and verbs or nouns to
computers becoming distractions for the students (Karehka, 2012). Teachers are there in
classrooms to teach students how to improve their writing techniques and to fix errors.
Computers has the ability to fix errors making it easier for students to turn in extraordinary
work on the computer and this is because the computer has auto correct built on the system
to correct sentences. However, when being exposed to paper, students can write
unprofessionally because they may not know why the sentence has an error. Computers
can be proved to be a distraction for students in the classrooms as well. Having access to
many different types of websites can cause students to lose focus and search up unrelated
things such as videos or games. Research shows that out of the 23 students that were
surveyed for this paper, about 15 people, or 65%, of the people played games on the
internet and about 15 people, or 65%, of the people watched uneducational videos such as
vine and Youtube during their classroom time (Appendix A). This study shows that over
half of the students in classrooms do not use their time wisely. Based on this survey,
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computers can negatively impact students more than it can positively impact students
which can be another leading factor for schools not accepting computers into their
curriculum.
The information that was obtained gives the input schools think students feel about
having computers in classrooms. Getting the input of everyday students and teachers can
prove to be a more reliable source than getting opinions of those who haven’t been in
school for years because they are currently using computers. With the information that was
gathered for this paper, many high school students, college students, and teachers had
different opinions on how computers helped with understanding classroom activities that
were difficult or even impossible to do. Education world, a source where staff members
can find original content, asked members of its Tech Team, many of whom are high school
teachers themselves, what is really happening in high school technology (Jackson, 2012).
Some teachers did not like having computers in their schools because of the amount of time
it takes to get accustomed to it. Some say that it doesn’t matter if computers were included.
Brenda Dyck, technology integration coach at Master’s Academy and College in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, makes a statement saying, "Many high school teachers view technology
as a tack-on for an already packed full program and they don't think they have time for it.
That's because they cannot envision technology being a conduit to delivering and
enhancing the curriculum they teach” (Jackson 2012). With this quote, many can assume
that teachers can work around with no computers and it is pointless to add computers into
the classroom if it's not needed. However, some teachers feel as though implementing
computers into classrooms will benefit their class. John Tiffany, a high school science
teacher at Wauseon (Ohio) High School confesses, "So much is demanded of us, with the
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curriculum being test driven, that there is too much real information to cover." In some
ways, Tiffany argues, teaching technology in elective classes is easier, since the curriculum
can allow for greater flexibility (Jackson 2012). The fact that people have different
opinions of computers being in classrooms makes it difficult to come up with an answer to
whether or not to have computers as tools for education. College students, compared to
high school students, are having similar results in terms of education. There was a
meta-analytic synthesis, a way to resolve bias in research findings, carried out by Kulik,
Kulik, and Cohen showing from the 59 evaluations that were studied, CBE
(computer-based education) made small but significant contributions to students' academic
achievement and also produced positive, but again small, effects on student attitudes (, C.,
n.d.). Based on this fact, teachers and students feel as though computers have a neutral
standing in classrooms or somewhat benefits the students. In the survey that was conducted
for this paper, out of the 23 students that were survey, all 23 students, or 100%, says that
computers in classrooms are beneficial even though some do not use them in classrooms.
The U.S is not the only country trying to change their educational system by adding
computers into their classrooms; countries such as the Philippines and Russia are adding
computers to their schools. Russia has been adding computers to improve education for
students across their country. Russia wants to bring digital information and communication
technologies to a widening part of the population (Steve, n.d.). They planned on educating
specialists on computers so that the specialists can teach the students how to use
computers. However, it will cost money to do so. In the USA, 96% of all classrooms
currently have an Internet connection, and 39% of all school computers are connected to
the Internet meaning that 39% of the students are using the internet. For the Organization
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of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, this figure is 52%, while
in Russian schools it was only 6% in 2003 (Steve, n.d.). Russia, however, have been
showing improvement with adding computers because they want their students to be
prepared for the advanced world. The issue with adding computers to classrooms in Russia
is the same for some schools in America, and that reason is money. Some schools do not
have the money and time to put computers into every classroom. Some Russian schools did
work around the issue by implementing Microsoft Multipoint Mouse software
development kit from Microsoft and Curriculum Curiosity Software (Microsoft, 2010).
The Multipoint Mouse SDK allows multiple students to work on the same computer which
helps reduce the amount of money schools need to spend on buying computers for
individual students. Some countries may not be using the tool because computers are not
needed in classrooms or the schools have the money to buy multiple computers. The
Curriculum Curiosity Software provides helping tools for mathematics, Russian language,
writing, etc. With the introduction of these tools, Russia can add computer education with
few issues.
The Philippines is another country that is being researched that is trying to imply
computer education into their curriculum. Ayala recalled that before Gilas was launched in
2005, bringing computers and the Internet to the public schools was merely a “proposition
and a dream,” as only six percent of what was then 5,443 public schools were connected to
the Internet (Calleja, 2011). The Gilas project stands for Gearing Up Internet Literacy and
Access for Students which is a program where the people are trying the add computers to
every school in the Philippines (Calleja, 2011). Along with the U.S and Russia, the
Philippines are trying to enter the technological world for education. Some examples of the
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increase of technology in classrooms include schools such as Samar National high school
and three other schools in Calbayog City. Samar National High School, located 107 km
north of Tacloban City, received 50 computers in 2007 from Intel Philippines through its
Intel Teach program (Labro, 2008). The three public high schools in Calbayog City also
received their computers donated by Intel late last year, with Calbayog City National High
School and San Policarpo National High School getting 55 computers each and Oquendo
National High School receiving 60 computers (Labro, 2008). With the progression of
computers into schools, the Philippines may be able to reach their goal for all students
having accessed to them. Rodney Manalo, 15, a fourth year student of the San Policarpo
National High School, said the use of computers has been of great help to him as a student
because it simplified and made easy to understand their lessons (Labro, 2008). This student
is an example of computers not being a waste of time being implemented into schools.
With the information that was given; the U.S, Russia, and the Philippines have all showed
growth and the future of computer education in classrooms.
Conclusion
Computer changes the learning style of students in classrooms at the high school and
college levels. Computers can benefit students by helping them with writing essays,
making presentations, and even for information gathering. Computers, however, can badly
influence the students by distracting them with entertainment and trying to figure out how
to use them. Money is an issue that stop countries such as the U.S, Russia, and the
Philippines from putting computers into classrooms, however, these countries are working
around the problem. Based on this information, each country has shown an increase of
computer usage in classrooms. It is possible that every school with have access to
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computers in the classroom in the near future if the countries stays on the pace they are on
now. The majority of the students would be glad if computers were in schools. High school
and college students found computers inside of classrooms somewhat helpful for their
learning experience.
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References
Bybee, R. W., Powell, J. C., & Trowbridge, L. W. (2010, July 20). The Status of Computer
and Internet Use in Schools. Retrieved from
http://www.education.com/reference/article/status-computer-internet-use-schools/
This source statistics on the amount of computer usage and access from different
time periods. This source will benefit my paper by providing accurate
information.
Calleja, N. (2011, November 22). All public high schools to have Internet in 2012.
Retrieved November 16, 2014, from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/98247/all-public-high-schools-to-have-internet-in-201
2
This source is about the Philippines idea on getting computers into all classrooms.
This source will be helpful because it shows their progression from the past to
present.
Dunn, J. (2011, April 18). The Evolution of Classroom Technology. Retrieved from
http://www.edudemic.com/classroom-technology/
This source provides a timeline for what instruments were used in the classroom.
This can be useful when showing how education advanced through the time
periods.
Educational Technology: Effectiveness of Computers in Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/lem.smith/effectiveness_of_computers_in_education
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This source provides pros and cons on computer education being implied in the
school curriculum. This source will be useful when providing examples of
computer education.
Jackson, L. (2012, May 3). Integrating Tech in High School. Retrieved from
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech211.shtml
This source provides information on what high school students use computers for.
This source is good because it gives me information specifically on high school
students.
K., C., C., & J. (n.d.). Effectivenes of Computer -Based Education in Colleges. Retrieved
from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED263890.pdf
This source provides information on how college students use their computer
time. This source is helpful because it gives me information specifically on
college students.
Karehka, R. (2012, November 7). The Pros and Cons of Using Computers In Classrooms.
Retrieved from
http://www.useoftechnology.com/pros-cons-computers-classrooms-2/
This source provides pros and cons on computer education and goes into detail
when giving an example. This source will be useful when explaining why
something is a pro or a con.
Labro, V. (2008, October 19). INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from
http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/education/view.php?db=1&article=200810
19-167225
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This source is about how computer education will help the students in the
Philippines. This source helps because it also gives some students input on the
imputations of computers.
Microsoft. (2010, August 15). Teachers Fuel Creativity and Cooperation in Russian
Schools with Windows MultiPoint Mouse SDK from Microsoft and Curriculum
Curiosity software. Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/Rick%20Jr/Downloads/Windows%20MultiPoint%20Mouse%20S
DK%20Case%20Study_Russia.pdf
This source provides an example on the way Russian schools worked around the
money issue to put computers into classrooms. This source is good for showing
ways to get around the cons of computer education.
Steve, K. (n.d.). ELSP Book. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from
http://faculty.washington.edu/stkerr/Kerr Ch 1 Results of the E-Learning Support
Project DRAFT.doc
This source gives me the perspective of how Russians view computer education.
This source is important to add to my paper so that I can compare it to the U.S
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Appendix A
Computer Usage
Respondents
Percentage
Research
20
86.96%
Games
15
65.22%
Writing an essay
19
82.61%
Watching videos
15
65.22%
other
15
65.22%
Appendix B
Are Computers useful?
Respondents
Percentage
Yes
23
100%
No
0
0%