The Teacher in the Two Year College

Interest in the use of technology in the classroom continues to grow. The current study included 100 students who registered for a 200 level child development class at a private university in Northern Virginia. Students were from 4 different sections taught by the same professor in different semesters. Two of the sections used a textbook. The other two used an online virtual simulation program. Results revealed that students using the simulation program had exam scores that were significantly higher than those for the sections that used a textbook. Students using the program reported that it helped them relate to class material, was more engaging and interactive than a textbook, and helped them connect class material to the real world.