Does Technology Enhance Actual Student Learning? The Case of Online Discussion Boards

Despite widespread acceptance of technology in the classroom, there is little empirical research on the effectiveness of students' use of technology in enhancing their learning. To date, studies suggest that students perceive technology to be a useful learning tool; however, research has not linked the use of technology to actual student performance measures. In this study, the authors examined the degree to which technology enhanced actual student learning and whether individual characteristics of the student population moderated this relationship. The results suggest that the incorporation of technology in the classroom does enhance actual student learning and that this relationship is moderated by student characteristics.