Educational technology, challenges and possibilities: A critical look at students' computer use in high school.

摘要

This study explores the extent to which high school students are using the computers in their classrooms for educational purposes. Specifically, it examined how much of their study time is spent on the Internet both at home and in school for non-school activities; the difference, if any, in terms of how students of different grades use computers in high school; who gets access to which computer; what determines how some groups of students are assigned a particular type of computer, what role race, gender and class play in computer use in the high school; and how educators can use the Internet for instruction to prevent misuse of class time.; Data for this action research was obtained through interviews, participant observation and document analyses. A total of 33 informants, randomly selected, provided data for the study. In the sample were 30 students, 10 ninth and 20 tenth graders from a high school in inner city Toronto, Canada as well as the principal of the institution and two staff members.; The findings suggest that there are more students than computers in the courses, and that as many females as males have their own home computers. Students spend, on average, five hours a day on their home computers for both academic and non-academic pursuits, and between 60% and 70% of that time is for non-academic purposes. About 35% of students' in-class time is used to make unauthorized use of school computers without regard to the school's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Students use their computers to pass time and to cure boredom, by seeking information, playing games and receiving and sending e-mail. Females play as many games as their male counterparts. There is a greater degree of sophistication in the games played by tenth graders than ninth graders.; Home computers help females build confidence and develop enthusiasm for computer-related programs at the junior levels in high school. Females are making inroads into domains previously considered male territories. Inadequate and insufficient computers hurt females and students from low-income backgrounds. Unauthorized use of computers creates ethical and legal issues. Implications for practice, curriculum and society are discussed.