Critical Thinking Paper

Here is a paper I wrote for my class W200. It is a class that teaches future teachers how to use technology in the classroom. Enjoy......

In the article, Handheld, Wireless Computers: Can They Improve Learning and Instruction?[i], the issue of using handheld, wireless computers in the classroom setting is explored. In reading the article, two main questions came to mind. First, can the use of handheld, wireless computers (HWCs) make learning a more interactive experience? Second, what are the disadvantages of using these devises in the classroom?
In the article they looked at three different classroom settings all using HWCs. In general, they found these devises helpful in the classroom. The students and the teachers agreed that HWCs increased participation and only created a few minor problems.
I believe using HWCs can be beneficial in the classroom. It can make the students and the teachers interact more frequently and in a timelier manner, leading to more involvement in classroom discussions. In the article, teachers were asked after using HWCs, what were some of the advantages? An overwhelming numbers of teachers indicated that students were more involved in the learning process. One teacher noted, “Students were highly engaged and appeared to remain on task during the entire activity...[instructor # 1]” (Moallem, et. al., 2006, p102).
In another article, Type II Uses of Technology in Education: Projects, Cases Studies and Software Applications,[ii] written about the use of HWCs in the classroom, the editors came to a similar conclusion. The editors explored the issue and had the following observation:

What happened when HWCs were used in delivering instruction? Instructors and researchers reflection and observation notes indicated that in all three course, using HWCs for delivering instruction changed the class dynamics from a primarily lecture-driven, large group discussion to a more interactive and student-involved learning environment (Maddux, C., et. al., 2006).

This research further indicates that in most classroom settings, HWCs increase the level of participation and lead to increased satisfaction from teachers and students.
In my own experience, I have seen the use technology have a similar effect of increasing participation in the classroom. While working as a teacher’s assistant last year, we had the opportunity to introduce laptops to a group of children in the classroom. While laptops are different from a HWC, it is still a new interactive technology for the students and teachers alike. The results were amazing. The children were so excited to use these computers because they were able to access information that went along with classroom instruction instantaneously and integrate it into their learning. As a result, they created better schoolwork and papers as compared to before the use of the laptops.
Even though HWCs have the potential to increase participation in classroom activities and discussion, they also have disadvantages. Use of HCWs can allow for students to share information easily. In general, this is a benefit to the educational process but if the ability is abused (in the form of cheating), it becomes a concern. Another potential disadvantage is the difficultly of the instructor to monitor the use of HWCs within the classroom. In the article, Handheld, Wireless Computers: Can They Improve Learning and Instruction?[iii], the authors discuss how these two issues (potential cheating and monitoring of student activity) can collide. “One issue relates to the security of student and faculty information over wireless networks and the potential for classroom dishonesty should students decide to daisy-chain data to one another and beam answers from device to device.” (Moallem, et. al., 2006, p105). As HWCs use in the classroom proliferates, all aspects of their usage, including the downsides, will have to be addressed and monitored.
I believe that HWCs can improve the educational process by increasing student involvement and participation in the classroom. Use of HWCs can also help instructors bring information to their students in a timely manner, which will increase their readiness and willingness to learn. As with the adoption of all technological advancements and improvements, the use of HWCs will take further study to learn how to use them in the most effective and efficient manner.


[i] Moallem, M., Kermani, H., & Chen, S. (2006). Handheld, Wireless Computers: Can They Improve Learning and Instruction? Computers in the Classroom, v22 n3-4 p93-106.
[ii] Maddux, C, & Johnson, D., (2006). Type II Uses of Technology in Education: Projects, Cases Studies and Software Applications. Computers in the School, v23, n1/2.
[iii] Moallem, M., Kermani, H., & Chen, S. (2006). Handheld, Wireless Computers: Can They Improve Learning and Instruction? Computers in the Classroom, v22 n3-4 p93-106.