Article Critique 1

Hallie Fenton

Article Critique 1

FRIT 7237 – Evaluation of Educational Needs and Programs

Dr. Charles Hodges

August 30, 2021

 Article Critique 2

Grant, M.M., Ross, S.M., Wang, W., & Potter, A. (2005). Computers on wheels: an alternative to

‘each one has one’. British Journal of Educational Technology, (36)6, 1017 – 1034.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2005.00571.x

Summary

           Since the early 2000s and the increased access to new technologies, many schools have

committed themselves to some type of laptop initiative. The purpose of this study was to

evaluate the effectiveness of mobile laptop carts rather than a one-to-one ratio of students to

laptops. The sample population in this study included four fifth-grade classrooms at Green River

Elementary. While the authors noted where the sample population was from, they did not

directly state how the participants were invited or selected for the study.  

This study collected qualitative and quantitative data through two teacher surveys, four

interviews, and nine observations. First, two teacher surveys were conducted to obtain teachers’

perceptions of attitude and skills of computers and technology. Then, teachers had to take a

technology skills assessment to assess teachers’ perceived technological skills. Next, a semi-

structured interview was conducted with the four teachers and eight to ten fifth graders to discuss

the use of the laptops, expectations, and reservations. The combination of the surveys and

interviews formed the qualitative data in this study.

Additionally, multiple researchers observed class sessions based on three rubrics to

triangulate the results and measure the reliability of the study. The first rubric was a school

observation rubric to assess how many instructional strategies were used as technology was

implemented. The second rubric assessed how many laptops were available for student use and

the types of activities that were observed. The final rubric assessed student-centered activities.

These observations formed the quantitative data in the study. 

 Article Critique 3

This study showed that many of the teachers at Green River Elementary had confidence

in their knowledge of technology and learning. As a result, the teachers effectively implemented

instructional strategies that engaged students and focused on student-centered learning,

collaborative learning, and project-based learning. Furthermore, having access to laptop carts

may have motivated teachers to move toward more student-center learning rather than teacher-

focused learning. 

Critique

I believe this study was conducted in a very appropriate manner. I believe a strength of

the study was qualitative and quantitative data to measure the effectiveness of carts on wheels. A

potential weakness of the study was that teachers did not have any professional development

about using educational technology with teaching and learning. Without any type of professional

development, teachers could have potentially struggled to implement the technology effectively.

Furthermore, I would have liked to see student achievement results. I believe this would have

added another layer to the results to show the effectiveness of the laptop carts, 

In my profession, this study is very relatable. Since I work in a smaller school district,

our technology budget is limited. Laptop carts have allowed our students to access technology

and allow our teachers to change their teaching style to more student-centered learning.

However, I believe that some of our teachers would benefit from some professional development

sessions about the instructional strategies that could be used. For instance, some of our teachers

only use technology for Quizizz and Kahoot instead of any type of project-based learning.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this study and seeing how another school responded to laptop carts.