The National Science Foundation reports that a new review – Effects of Using Instructional Technology in Elementary and Secondary Schools: What controlled evaluation studies say – is soon to be released. This meta-analysis summarizes “quality” studies from the 1990s. The summary of the summary suggests that ILSs (integrated learning systems) have proven benefits, but science simulations and hands-on activities involving microcomputer-based laboratories (probes) do not. Both simulations and project-based MBL activities are more consistent with student-centered approaches. We will have to wait until the full version of the study is released to offer further comments.
