Why+do+most+teachers+report+minimal+improvement+in+student+achievement?

//** Why do most teachers report minimal improvement in student achievement? ** // ** "As with all technology, it's how it's used, not the technology itself that will ultimately determine its value for teaching and learning." ** Yes, it is quite easy to get caught up in the excitement over new equipment and software. However, effective teaching/learning is not about the equipment; it is skilful instruction that increases student achievement. When teachers are provided with new technologies like interactive whiteboards for example, they are likely to assimilate their use in terms of previous knowledge and experience. Therefore, interactive whiteboards are not necessarily used interactively and can reinforce teacher-centered pedagogy. In other words, teachers need to go beyond using interactive whiteboards as an "electronic chalk and talk device", or for generating glorified "electronic work sheets". What teachers need to think about is how they will use this technology to support effective teaching and learning in a learner-centered context rather than using interactive whiteboards to do things they would traditionally do with paper and print.

Leu (2001) cautions that if we are using whiteboard technology to create "digital worksheets", or to do more of the same as we would within a print medium, this means that we are not challenging ourselves to think beyond the print medium. In other words, we need to be engaging in teaching and learning that supports learner engagement and representing ideas in multiple ways. 

Support for training and time to learn is made possible through strong leadership. Leadership must be present for change to occur. According to Glover & Miller, (2003) the role of the school leadership is to persuade and convince others of the educational value of the new technology through example and persuasion. Furthermore once the majority of the teachers are supportive of the use of interactive whiteboards the detractors are likely to diminish. Leadership must support change by devising professional development that meets the needs of teachers and of the school (see Best Practice - Professional Development).

Some other possible reasons for little improvement in student achievement:  //Useful Web Link://  []
 * Boards being used for entertainment value, not educational purpose
 * Using the voting devices but doing little with the findings
 * Not organising or pacing the content well
 * Using too many visuals or too much text