Names: Lary C. Rampp and J. Stephen Guffey
Session Type: Lecture/Presentation
Preferred Track: Track 6: Looking Ahead [Unveiling the future of instructional technology]
Abstract: In 1983 Richard Clark in an important article conducted a meta-analysis regarding technology and achievement. He reported that "most current summaries and meta-analyses of media comparison studies clearly suggest that media do NOT influence learning under ANY condition." This presentation brings this "declaration" up to date. This presentation reports the results of examining hundreds of current technology-learning research studies and responds to the Clark Declaration. This report the current state of technology and learning.
Description: This review of the literature examined over 150 relevant articles in more than 20 professional journals covering all media mediums and individual learning domains to identify the level of academic achievement using technology. The seminal article by Richard Clark served as the focus of the review and framed the results. The Clark Declaration specifically stated that: "The best current evidence is that media are mere vehicles that deliver instruction but do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers our groceries causes changes in our nutrition." Included is Clark's response (1993) to over 1700 responses to his declaration.
This presentation examines the components of effective technology learning achievement; user attitudes, technology distribution, teacher practice, and technology selection criteria. From the vast literature discussing technology and academic achievement, eight research studies are presented as most representative of current literature. Specifically, the work of Clark, R. (1983, 1993), Boschee, F. (1997), Brush, T. A. (1997), Cennamo, K. (1993), Chen, L. (1997), Cockayne, S. (1991), Justen, J., Adams, T.M., & Waldrop, P.B. (1988), Whetzel, K. L. Felker, D. B., & Williams, K. A. (1996), Young, J. D. (1996). These important and representative studies provide a precis of the current research on technology and learning achievement.
The presentation summarizes these studies and suggests future directions for technology in the classroom of tomorrow teaching the students of the 21st century. It is a core focus of this presentation of identify the underlying question now being just recently asked, "Is technology enhancing the academic achievement of our students?" Heretofore, we have largely been asking about the need for technology it is pretty well established that the American Information Society needs technology.
Audience: faculty, dean/provosts, network administrators
Audience level: all
On-site equipment requirements: [we provide our own laptop and power point]
Contact Information:
Lary C. Rampp,
EDSE, Center for Excellence in Education, Arkansas State University,
P.O. 1278, State University, AR 72467, 870-972-3602
J. Stephen Guffey,
Assistant Professor, CHNP, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box
910, State University, AR 72467, 870-972-3591; jguffey@crow.astate.edu