In classrooms across the country, from small rural schools to those at prestigious universities, teachers use technology. Some may use integrated student learning labs for word-processing, mathematical calculations, scientific experiments or multimedia presentations.
Teachers use video clips and audio recordings to supplement curriculum.
They may use tutorials, educational games or simulations as student enrichment activities. Others may use technology as a tool for instructional situations as in databases, spreadsheets, graphing packages, calculators, desktop publishing and telecommunication opportunities. All of these classroom innovations have been examined by researchers attempting to discover if their use is justified and if their diffusion and adoption into the classroom has better prepared students to be competent and competitive in a technological world. Specific types of classrooms have been studied and specific types of students have been observed. Innovations have been examined in isolation and in clusters.