According to an article in the Journal of Research on Technology in Education a strong correlation can be made between student self esteem and technology rich classrooms. Even, as a teacher it never occurred to me to even attempt to correlate the two. However, after reading this article I contemplated the idea. It seems a logical conclusion based on the findings, but what is really important to me is why the correlation exists at all.
The article states “Because students tend to prefer computer learning over traditional instruction (Clements et al., 1993; Kinzie, Sullivan, & Berdel, 1992), and because they appear to perceive technology as a tool to increase the likelihood of school success (Breakwell & Fife-Schaw), a logical conclusion can thus be made that computers and self-esteem are complementary” (Page, 2002). This is a statement I believe to be misleading. Students probably prefer the computer to lectures. Would they still prefer it, if it was a lecture via computer? Would technology still be viewed as a tool for success if all tests were computer based and they repeatedly failed these tests? I’m sure any elementary student would prefer an educational computer game to worksheets, but do they prefer it to small group games or projects?
Technology is not the key to learning, nor is it the key to increasing student self-esteem. Good student-centered teaching practices with a solid teaching objective and strong lesson planning is the key. Technology can be a valuable tool and should not be overlooked. There are so many ways it can increase student success. However, teachers are the most vital instrument we have today.
Page, M. S. (2002). Technology-enriched classrooms: Effects on students of low socioeconomic status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 34(4), 389–409.
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