Pattern of classroom activities during students’ use of computers: Relations between instructional strategies and computer applications

• Published in: Teaching and teacher education Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 540 - 546
• Main Authors: Inan, Fethi A., Lowther, Deborah L., Ross, Steven M., Strahl, Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Active Learning; Classroom practice; Computer Software; Computer Uses in Education; Computer-assisted instruction; Computers; Drills (Practice); Educational software; Educational Strategies; Educational Technology; Grants; Independent Study; Inquiry; Instructional technology; Internet; Learning; Learning Activities; Observation; Student Centered Curriculum; Student Projects; Teachers; Teaching Methods; Technology; Technology Integration; Word Processing; Educational software; Teaching methods; Instructional technology; Computer uses in education; Computer-assisted instruction; Technology integration
• ISSN: 0742-051X; 1879-2480
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2009.06.017

The purpose of this study was to identify instructional strategies used by teachers to support technology integration. In addition, relations between types of computer applications and teachers' classroom practices were examined. Data were direct observation results from 143 integration lessons implemented in schools receiving federal technology grants. Results reflect use of student-centered practices such as teacher as a facilitator, project-based learning, and independent inquiry. Furthermore, this study revealed that classroom practices tend to be more student-centered when students use the computer as a learning tool such as the Internet, word processing, and presentation software. Conversely, drill and practice software showed a dissimilar pattern.