PowerPoint Presentations Increase Achievement and Student Attitudes Towards Technology

Seventh grade students were tested on their knowledge of sentences and nouns in a language arts classroom. The classes consisted of 28 males and 31 females. All students were Caucasian with the exception of two African-American males. Students were predominantly from middle class families. All three classes were grouped heterogeneously. During instruction for two units, classes were taught with the following approaches: (1) using traditional methods of book work and handouts for one unit, and (2) using technological aids such as Microsoft PowerPoint for a second unit. Test results from three classes during both units were compared. The data indicates that when using technological aids as teaching tools, student test grades increased, especially for low-achieving students or for those with learning disabilities. A technology survey was also used to establish each student’s comfort level with technology and their attitudes towards the use of technological aids in the classroom.