Another hit on educational software

Hard on the heels of a Education Department study that trashed the effectiveness of edcuational software, a new study finds similar results.

The study conducted by the National Center for Educational Evaluation and Regional Assistance found that schools who used math software programs didn't increase or decrease test scores from the year before, reports the Cal Aggie

The study was conducted in 132 schools in 33 school districts that have not previously used math and reading software as a part of their curriculum.

In grades 1-4, the more software program was used, the greater the progress. No change happened in the participating 6th grade classrooms.

The study found that using software in classroom did affect the way teachers taught material.

"The study also found that products caused teachers to be less likely to lecture and more likely to facilitate, while students using reading or mathematics software products were more likely to be working on their own," according to the report.

Other studies, however, have shown that computers in the classroom boosts test scores.

"There have been massive gains in math, science, language arts and overall achievement scores due to computers in the classroom," said Barbara Thalacker, director of the California State Education Technology program. "Not one dollar from the state or legislation is going to computers in schools," she said. "It's just not a priority."