Digital Enhancements or Expensive Distractions?

markmcb writes "Berkeley and USC have teamed up to launch a $3.3 million study over 3 years that hopes to shed some light on how today's kids are interacting with technology and the effects that it is having on education. The study aims to determine if digital devices such as computers and cell phones are shaping the way that teenagers obtain and process information. But given the price tag and the goals of the project, how much can this project actually help education? Has anyone out there in the high school level education field seen digital systems improve the classroom to the point that students actually learn more, or do they just tend to be fascinating distractions that detract from the classroom?"

Comments

1994

[Hao Wu]

Whole class bought TI-85 calculators. One-third used it, one-third used it to cheat, one-third could have got by with 10-key cheap-o.

Guess which third drives the nicest vehicles today....

This is why it is worth $3Mn

[3770]

Has anyone out there in the high school level education field seen digital systems improve the classroom to the point that students actually learn more, or do they just tend to be fascinating distractions that detract from the classroom?

They will provide a scientific answer rather than anecdotal evidence on slashdot.

And if there is a significant difference then that can be used to make education better and that will most certainly be worth $3Mn.