Students achievement must be carefully monitored through each stage of the introduction of technology. Studying the impact of technology on student achievement addresses such issues as access inadequacies, areas of strength and areas in need of improvement, as well as helping to justify investments in new technology.
Simple changes to the technology used in a school can make a difference. Johnson explains that action research on the introduction of laptops across the state of Michigan proved to have positively influenced discipline and grades. Educators should think about the areas of their school that lack technology. Get pupils to fill in questionnaires about what they feel could benefit them and plan carefully for maximum impact on achievement.
The focus of action research into the new technology you are introducing is important. Getting it right could boost achievement and getting it wrong could waste money. Your research topic will depend on your institution's needs. Possible topics include introducing such whole school discrete educational software such as Data Encryption Standard. This could have an effect on the availability of data for the staff or trying to combat social challenges such as access for all. Think about what could have the biggest impact upon your students.
David Coghlan and Theresa Brannick, the authors of "Handbook of Action Research," promote three essential elements to action research as a form of reflective practice. Careful planning is followed by action and the evaluation of the outcomes of that action. Your evaluation can then lead to further planning. By reflecting in this cyclical manner, you will be able to make subtle changes, allowing for each new cohort of pupils to achieve.
Smart planning will help to avoid hasty purchasing decisions that may lead to a decline in achievement. New media technology hype can make purchasing decisions difficult to make because there is so much choice. Think about the effect an Ipad may have on your students' learning or a suite of new laptops.
When creating a budget, Coghlan and Brannick argue that it is important to give thought to the impact of the technology on achievement. Making one-, three- and five-year plans will help you to integrate technology into the curriculum. Always build in time for reflection at each stage.