Costs, Effects, and Utility of Microcomputer Assisted Instruction in the Classroom

Abstract

The costs, effects, and utility of mathematics instruction assisted by microcomputer presentations were compared with those of conventional classroom approaches for grades 3 and 5. In both grades, students who received microcomputer assisted instruction scored significantly higher on a standard test of total mathematics achievement and on a test of computer literacy than did those who received conventional instruction. Students in all groups scored about the same on a survey of mathematics attitudes. In grade 3 the cost per month of grade placement gain in total mathematics was about $20 per student for microcomputer assisted instruction and $33 per student for conventional instruction. These costs were about $17 and $27, respectively, in grade 5. Based on utility ratings obtained from school board members, microcomputer assisted instruction was found to have greater cost utility in both grades. Given the results reported here and by Levin, a strong case is suggested for the cost-effectiveness of grouping students on microcomputers located in classrooms. is the superintendent of curriculum for the Saskatoon Public School Board, 405 3rd Ave., South, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1M7. He specializes in strategic planning, curriculum implementation, and application of technology to instructional practice. PHILIP K. PIELE is director of ERIC Clearinghouse and professor of educational policy and management at the School of Education, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403. He specializes in networks and communication systems, school law, and applied statistics.

The Effect of Online Homework Due Dates on College Student Achievement in Elementary Algebra

“…Testone (2005) found online homework appeared to "improve student learning and provide a better homework experience than typical textbook assignments" (p 2). The previousstudies and others (Nguyen, Hsieh,& Allen, 2006;Beal, Walles, Arroyo, & Woolf, 2007;Fletcher, Hawley,&Piele, 1990) have been conducted to examine the effects of web-based or online homework on student achievement and attitudes with a majority concluding students do derive some type of benefits from completing homework in this manner.…”

Cost–utility analysis in educational needs assessment

“…The smallest ratios provide the greatest utility for the lowest cost (Levin & McEwan, 2001). Proponents of the approach argue that when utility measures are combined with cost-effectiveness analysis, the resulting decision process more closely reflects the desires of the decision-maker than cost-effectiveness data only (Fletcher, Hawley, & Piele, 1990).…”

“…Levin and McEwan (2001) found only three examples in their extensive review. Fletcher et al, (1990) conducted a cost-utility analysis that combined measurement of the outcomes of a computer assisted mathematics program; the costs of delivering the treatment and its control; and the values assigned by school board members to the gains obtained in the treatment program, relative to its increased cost. Fletcher et al concluded that the cost-utility of the computer assisted program was 55% better than the control for grade 3 and 64% better for grade 5.…”

“…The other two cost-utility evaluations in education were similar to Fletcher et al (1990) in that they combined data on program outcomes, stakeholder perceptions of the value of the outcomes, and costs of alternatives. The studies differed in how they transformed outcome data into utility scores.…”

Technology, the Columbus Effect, and the Third Revolution in Learning

“…Fletcher (1997) reported a limited cost-effectiveness argument for technology-based education. He presented empirical data gathered from earlier studies by Jamison et al (1976), Levin, Glass, and Meister (1987), and Fletcher, Hawley, and Piele (1990) "Intelligent tutoring systems" may be as intelligently, or unintelligently, designed as any others. They involve a capability that has been developing since the late 1960s (Carbonell, 1970) but has only recently been expanded into general use.…”