Article Critique

Article Critique

1.      Provide the complete article title and author.

The title of the article is “Laptops and Fourth-Grade Literacy: Assisting the Jump Over the Fourth-Grade Slump”. The article was authored by Kurt A. Suhr, David A. Hernandez, Douglas Grimes, and MarkWarschauer.

2.      State the Intended Audience. (What is empirical research and how does it help in the classroom?)

This article was intended for any educator looking to better fourth-grade literacy and any school district that is looking for research-based information about one-to-one laptop instruction. Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Empirical research is vital in the classroom because it has been proven through studies to be effective.

3.   What is/are the research question/questions or hypothesis/hypotheses?

      There were three research questions or hypostheses addressed in this study.

1. Were there significant differences in the total ELA score changes in the

California Standards Test (CST) over the two-year period from third grade to fifth

grade between the one-to-one laptop group and the non-laptop group, after

controlling for other factors?

2. Were there significant differences in the six subtests used to compute those total ELA scores for the same two groups?

3. Can participation in a one-to-one laptop program be used to predict changes in ELA total and subtest scores over the two year period from third grade to fifth grade? (Suhr, Hernandez, Grimes, & Warschauer, 2010).

 

4.  Describe the subject (participants) and the procedures (methods) used by the    researcher(s)?

 

Estrella School District is where the study took place. The researchers used a quasi-experimental research design to analyze the effects of the one-to-one laptop program on CST ELA achievement for students in fourth and fifth grade. There were a total of 108 students from three different schools in the study. The treatment group was made up of 54 fourth grade students that were placed in the one-to-one laptop group. The control group was made up of 54 fourth graders that were placed in non-laptop classes. The research took place over each group for the fourth and fifth grade. They used the students’ third grade scores as a baseline.

 

5.  What were the conclusions of the researchers? Do you agree or disagree with the conclusions? Support your position.

 

            The research revealed that the laptop students outperformed the students who did not use them. The research also showed that there was a bigger improvement in the second year from the students using the laptops. This proves the information provided in the study to be correct. This represents a disruptive technology, and that it thus may take some time for laptops to have a positive effect on test scores as students and teachers learn how to use them effectively (Suhr et al., 2010). I agree with the conclusion that laptop students outperformed the non-laptop students. The laptops provide more one-on-one time for the students and keep them interested.

 

6.  What suggestions for further research do the authors suggest? What other suggestions for future research would you suggest?

 

            The authors suggest it is hard to be conclusive due to the size of the study, but it adds to an emerging body of literature that laptop use over multiple years may have a small positive effect on literacy test score outcomes. I would suggest that further research include larger groups and to consider how the teacher is using the technology. I think it would be good to have people observe the teachers on a regular basis.