Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
The number of Americans who use technology to enhance their lives increases daily.Most Americans either own or have access to a computer. Technology dramaticallyshapes our society and is an integral part of the business, medical, media andentertainment fields. In the workforce, computer technology assists individuals in thecompletion of daily tasks as well as provides support for more complex job duties.Presentations use PowerPoint and video projectors. Individuals communicate throughemail and blackberry telephones. People bank, shop, and purchase groceries online.People even use technology to check the news and weather.In the 21 st century, technology is by far the most powerful means of communication. Information can be obtained rapidly, even instantaneously. Shields andBehrman (2000, 23) support the claim that computer technology is rapidly transformingour society. In today’s technologically enhanced society, children are our computergeneration. "They are growing up with technology all around them and from an early agehave an understanding of how to use computers" (Shields and Behrman 2000). Despitesuch technological advancements in almost every aspect of our society, technology isonly now being used to transform education.Over the last decade, efforts to implement technology into the classroom haveincreased and schools have experienced a parallel increase in state and federal funding.Congress has allocated billions of dollars in funding through various programs fortechnology integration. By providing monetary support to those schools that integratetechnology into the classroom and incorporate it into daily curricula, officials believe that 7students will be well equipped to survive in the 21 st century. The focus of this research isthe integration of technology in public schools and the impact that technology has on theacademic performance of public school children.
Research Purpose
This research study will examine the test scores of public school students enrolled in 4 th ,8 th , and 11 th grades, in the areas of reading, math, and science. The purpose of thisresearch is to assess the impact of technology integration on the academic performance of public school children. Key factors effecting academic performance are socioeconomicstatus, ethnicity, and geographic location.This study is important because researchers have yet to fully explore this area.The integration of technology in public schools is in its infancy. While literature existson the integration of computer technology in the classroom and its possible impact onacademic success, there is a lack of evidence confirming the overall effect technology hason increasing academic success. The goal of this empirical research is to assess theimpact technology has on the academic performance of public school children.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter two provides supporting literature concerning the impact technology has on theacademic performance of public school children. This chapter also discusses the
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digitaldivide
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and its effect on society and in education, as well as factors that contribute to thisdivide, along with the integration of technological resources. This research will explorepotential advantages to integrating technology into the classroom. In this chapter theconceptual framework is introduced and a link to the scholarly literature is provided