Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2024
Abstract
Schools across the country face distracted students who struggle to focus, leading to less engagement and lower academic success. Research has shown that student learning outcomes are often influenced by their level of engagement and that technology can be utilized as a powerful tool for motivation. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of incorporating educational technology, such as one-to-one computers, tablets, and interactive lessons, to increase student engagement and academic achievement so that elementary schools will benefit. Based on a literature review on technology’s impact on education, an online survey was distributed to elementary teachers at a rural, public school in Iowa. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that technology use in elementary classrooms is associated with positive teacher perceptions. The results indicate that technology does have a positive impact on student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement. Respondents acknowledged technical issues, student distraction, and the need for professional development and planning time to effectively implement technology in their classrooms. On this basis, it is recommended that schools properly train and support teachers to utilize technology as a key factor in motivating and engaging their students in lessons to enhance achievement. Further research is needed to evaluate specific achievement and assessment score correlations regarding technology when compared to traditional teaching methods, and widening the participant group could strengthen the generalization of results.