From Convergent Analysis to Project RED: Understanding How Technology Impacts Teaching and Learning

Cathie: “Under what conditions do computers lead to increased student achievement?”
Elliot:  Good question!
Cathie: I know, we asked it 10 years ago.
Elliot: We did?
Cathie: How could you forget Convergent Analysis?
Elliot: Oh THAT Convergent Analysis. Now I remember.
Cathie: No you don’t.
Elliot: You are right; no I don’t.
Cathie: In 1999, under funding from the Milken Family Foundation….
Elliot: … it’s coming back… Cheryl Lemke was running the Foundation then …
Cathie: We did a deep dive into the research literature on technology’s use in K-12 to try to answer that question. And we invented a method for comparing and contrasting research studies to abstract the key findings.
Elliot: Yeah, THAT “convergent analysis.”  Our intent was to provide guidance for classroom teachers – specific suggestions, not vague generalizations.
Cathie: That’s right –  vague generalizations such as “more time spent using a word processor results in better writing.”
Elliot: Ha ha… right! But did the literature provide guidance when a teacher doesn’t have a lot of time for having her students writing with a computer -- what activities might the teacher use under those conditions?
Cathie: Yes,  And 10 years later, Project RED is attempting to answer the same question…
Elliot: …But this time, they are starting with surveying schools since technology is much more prevalent in the schools …
Cathie: … things have changed in a decade!
Elliot: Thank goodness.
Cathie: And Project RED shares our same goal - avoid generalities and try to ferret out real nuggets of wisdom.
Elliot: Project RED has some good folks running it. Leslie Wilson and Michael Gielniak of the One-to-One Institute, Tom Greaves,  and Jeanne Hayes. That’s important since we all know that statistics can be used  and ….
Cathie: … misused!
Elliot: Project RED has extended the deadline for schools to fill out their short online survey. The more schools participate, the more reliable the findings.
Cathie: While some early results are already posted, we look forward to the thorough…
Elliot: … and provocative…
Cathie: final report.