SPA Study Links Technology-based Instruction to Higher Achievement,
Improved Attitudes and Stronger Student-Teacher Interaction

Teacher Training Increases Computer Usage in the Classroom

June 6, 1994 (Washington, DC) - A report released today by the Software
Publishers Association (SPA) revealed that information technology can make
a big difference in the way students perform in school.

The "Report on the Effectiveness of Technology in Schools, 1990-94"
provides overview of the significant effects that technology has on
increasing student achievement, self-esteem, and interaction between
teachers and peers. The findings apply to students of all ages and skill
levels--from preschool to college--with the most dramatic results
occurring among special needs and low-achieving students.

The new report was commissioned by the SPA and conducted by Interactive
Educational Systems Design, Inc., an independent educational technology
consulting firm. Based on the findings of 133 independent research
projects, the study also underscores the importance of the teacher's role
in creating an effective technology-based learning environment. New
research indicates that university and in-service teacher training
provides teachers with greater comfort in using computers, an increase in
the desire to use computers, and an understanding of how to integrate
software into the school curriculum.

The level of effectiveness of educational technology is influenced by the
specific student population, the software design, the teacher's role, how
students are grouped, and the level of student access to technology.

According to the new report, students respond more effectively to software
programs that offer students a sense of control over the learning
environment, arouse curiosity, use multiple appropriate levels of
difficulty to provide a sense of challenge, provide feedback, and include
an element of fantasy or animation. Software tools help to generate and
reinforce cooperative learning, with increased student-student and
teacher-student interaction.

The research cited specific characteristics of the learning environment
that help maximize the benefits of education technology. These include
district-level involvement, school-level computer coordinators, a social
network among computer-using educators, smaller class sizes, more funds
for software acquisition, and using tool software for learning
activities.

"This report, clearly indicates that the liberal use of information
technology in America's schools will result in a better educated and more
productive workforce in the 21st century," said Ken Wasch, Executive
Director of SPA.

This is the third report of its kind, following the SPA's 1993 study
"Report on the Effectiveness of Technology in the Schools 1990-1992." The
current report's findings were drawn from 133 reviews and reports on
original research projects from both published and unpublished sources.
Twenty four of the sources were doctoral dissertations; the others were
research reports, papers, and published articles from educational and
scientific publications including: American Educational Research Journal,
Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, Journal of Educational Computing
Research, and the Journal of Educational Psychology.
Report on the Effectiveness of Technology in Schools, page 3

The report is available free of charge to SPA members, reporters and
editors who cover the software industry. It is available to non-SPA
members for $99. To obtain a copy of the report, contact the SPA at (202)
452-1600 ext. 354, or write to: Report on the Effectiveness of Technology
in Schools, SPA, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036.

The Software Publishers Association is the principle trade association of
the PC software industry. Its more than 1100 members represent the leading
publishers in the business, consumer and education markets. The SPA has
offices in Washington, DC and Paris, France.

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