Technology for Teaching and Learning

Children at computers

Technology offers tremendous promise for student learning and has ignited the imagination of those who are interested in bringing about revolutionary gains in the achievement of all students. Yet the use of technology in education also raises a whole host of challenges, including those related to cost-effectiveness, teacher professional development, assessment, equity, and safety. We are at the forefront of evidence-based, technology-driven classroom practices and online strategies that enhance learning for all students, especially those with special needs.

Latest Work

Image of college students in a computer lab
29 Jan 2019
Report

Using Technology to Support English Language Learners in Higher Education: A Study of Voxy’s Effect on English Language Proficiency

Although English language learners (ELLs) have an increasing presence in postsecondary education, their unique needs are often unmet by institutions of higher education. Technology-mediated English language instruction may be a solution to the pressing challenges that postsecondary institutions face in providing personalized instruction to ELLs, because it allows instruction to be tailored to an individual’s English proficiency, academic needs, and professional interests.
28 Oct 2018
Report

Developing New Indices to Measure Digital Technology Access and Familiarity

As NAEP transitions from a paper-based to a digitally based assessment, the question arises: Are all children are ready for the transition—and would any of them would be disadvantaged by it? To investigate these issues, AIR developed a new set of survey items related to digital technology for the 2015 administration of the NAEP math and reading assessment.
Image of students and teacher at whiteboard
24 Oct 2018
Service

Using Networked Improvement Communities to Improve Educational Practice

To improve education at the school and district levels, it takes real-world, face-to-face partnerships among a variety of stakeholders at the school, district, and state levels, with support from researchers. AIR experts support and study networked improvement communities to find out what works.
Image of Honduran children's book
4 Sep 2018
Spotlight

Literacy Around the World

Founded to actively mobilize the international community and to promote literacy as an instrument to empower individuals, communities, and societies, International Literacy Day is celebrated around the world. Learn more about the projects, people, research, and in-country technical assistance that are contributing to the effort.
30 Apr 2018
Report

Baseline Report for the Mixed-Methods Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of Impact Network’s eSchool 360 Model in Rural Zambia

Impact Network’s eSchool 360 program is a multifaceted program comprising an e-learning technology component, ongoing teacher training and professional development, and community ownership among students in community schools in rural Zambia. This report presents the baseline results of the cluster-randomized control trial used to determine the impact of the eSchool 360 model.
4 Apr 2018
Report

Student Access to Digital Learning Resources Outside of the Classroom

Technology has the ability to create new opportunities for students and designing successful practices for using technology can help to increase educational experiences for students. This report draws upon nationally representative data sources, existing research, and relevant state and local intervention efforts to examine the five research areas designated in ESSA, and to provide a comprehensive picture of student access to digital learning resources outside of the classroom.
1 Jan 2018
ESSA

ESSA │Technology

Technology offers tremendous promise for student learning and has ignited the imagination of those who are interested in bringing about revolutionary gains in the achievement of all students. Yet the use of technology in education also raises a whole host of challenges, including those related to cost-effectiveness, teacher professional development, assessment, equity, and safety. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants in ESSA emphasize improvements in the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students through activities such as blended learning projects.
Project

Simulation Instruction in Mathematics Study (SIM Study)

The Simulation Instruction in Mathematics Study is a pilot study of a new professional development program which leverages new technologies for virtual classroom simulation and tests its use in professional development to support strong instructional practice in middle school mathematics.
Project

Assessing the Efficacy of Online Credit Recovery on Student Learning and High School Graduation

School districts across the country are increasingly using online courses to expand credit recovery options for high school students who need to get back on track toward graduation, but the growing use of online credit recovery for high school students has considerably outpaced the research. In partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, AIR is working to provide evidence for practitioners and policymakers about how a promising use of online learning could help students recovery course credit and successfully progress toward graduation.
30 Jun 2017
Brief

Course Progression for Students Who Fail Algebra I in Ninth Grade

This research brief, the sixth from the Back on Track study, describes the course progression of students who failed Algebra I in ninth grade in the large urban school district where the study took place, to help determine the importance of Algebra I failure and recovery for student success in subsequent courses and, ultimately, high school graduation.
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