What makes educational technology effective in the classroom?
 

Dr. Robert Slavin, Director of the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University, states in a recent blog post that educational programs increase student achievement most often when paired with professional development for teachers. This finding applies in particular to educational technology programs.
 

Dr. Slavin and his colleagues review research studies of educational programs for their website, the Best Evidence Encyclopedia. They have found that studies of computer activities where children work on them separately from the lesson being taught, instead of as part of the lesson being taught, have not shown increased academic achievement. However, educational technology programs relevant to classroom lessons, that give feedback to teachers on student performance, and that provide professional development to teachers do demonstrate improved student performance. Dr. Slavin cited an evaluation of the reading and math program, Time to Know, as an example. 

Johns Hopkins University 

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