Journal #5

Mendicino, M, Razzaq, L, & Heffernan, N. T. (2009). A comparison of traditional. JRTE, 41(3),

In my 5^th reading I read an article that was based on the difference of math retention in homework.  The article went on to study the differences between web based feedback with homework compared to the traditional math homework in the 5^th grade.  In the findings the students showed a greater deal of success in the web based homework assignments.  However, I do think that since it was a very limited study, a grand total of 28 5^th graders, it is not a complete study.  28 students are not enough to base any type of change in teaching style.  Although, the study does she a fair amount of success with web based homework the failure of the study is the limited number of participants. We don’t get a sense of the different effect of students in different parts of the U.S. or even the world.  Furthermore, 5^th grade math is limited too because we only get an idea of how students react at the elementary level.  It may be a good idea to do several more tests at the Junior High school level as wells as the High school level.  On top of that including people from different socioeconomic levels, different parts of the Country, and different cultures could add a lot more legitimacy to the entire study. 

Q#1:  How can technology help in improving scores in a student’s homework?

A: Well, based on the journal article, it says that positive feedback on the computer with their homework can have a great effect on improving scores.  I do agree with that, with technology can be an important step for students understand what is going on in the classroom.  However, the only concern I would have would be with if technology takes over the entire class.  What would happen to the socialization of the student if they don’t have to interact with anyone?

Q#2:  Will technology take the classroom by storm for helping student’s with their in class and out of class work?

A: Yes, it will.  In my personal experience I have seen many different classrooms that work with computers for the in-class work.  It does seem to help the students overall with their work.  However, I have also noticed that many of the students flip through the actual work in the lesson to the final “test”.  That can have a negative long term effect on the children who are in the class.