Computers in the Classroom

Accurate data regarding the number of public or private schools with computers and software is unavailable. However, "information extrapolated from a recent survey by the market research firm Quality Education Data (QED) suggests that about one-third of U.S. schools have installed a LAN with internet access" (Tenbusch & Vaughan, 1998, p. 1). Tenbush & Vaughan (1998) go on to write, "But with the momentum provided by the federal e-rate program and the annual NetDay volunteer events, it's clear that the day is fast approaching when most schools will be wired" (p. 1).

Quantity aside, these statistics lead to an obvious question of quality: Are computers being used effectively in the classroom and, if so, how?

Computers are being used for various purposes in K-12 and college classrooms across America, among them to teach science, health, physical education, recreation, dance, second languages, English, and writing. The hype is that "computer networks change

everyday classroom activities into exciting, unique projects involving the interaction of students and teachers worldwide" (Eisenberg & Ely, 1993, p. 1). And, in fact, some teachers are very creative ab

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cClean, 1998, p. 1). Computers are particularly useful in the area of second language learning. In addition to actually learning a language through interactive software programs, there are dictionaries and related information on CD-ROMs available for classroom use (Willets, 1992), p. 1). Supplementing and supporting language studies, e-mail and long distance networks (computers linked across long distances) allow for communication in the target language. In general, foreign language programs that utilize e-mail and other opportunities for human contact can promote "cultural diversity and understanding by linking students from across the country and around the world" (Salomon, 1991, as cited in Soska, 1994, p. 1). Computer-assisted instructional (CAI) programs "are ideal for fostering reading and writing skills in the target language" and "can be used by groups or individual students within a classroom or media center, or over local or long-distance computer networks" (Willets, 1992, p. 2). In fact, the creative teacher might combine e-mail and CAI programs by encouraging students to write and share articles and "compile and edit a newspaper based on their classroom exchanges" (Willets, 1992, p. 2). Computers, as a visual me
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Approximate Word count = 2171
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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