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Home Computers Equal Lower Test Scores

Posted by timothy on from the but-better-typing-speed dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Politicians and education activists have long sought to eliminate the 'digital divide' by guaranteeing universal access to home computers, and in some cases to high-speed Internet service. But a Duke University study finds these efforts would actually widen the achievement gap in math and reading scores. Students in grades five through eight, particularly those from disadvantaged families, tend to post lower scores once these technologies arrive in their homes."

5 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. from the article by mikesd81 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    what it boils down to:

    Vigdor and Ladd concluded that home computers are put to more productive use in households where parental monitoring is more effective. In disadvantaged households, parents are less likely to monitor children’s computer use and guide children in using computers for educational purposes.

    --
    That which does not kill me only postpones the inevitable.
    1. Re:from the article by mikael_j · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The advantage isn't with the original note-taking moment, it's later when you want to organize your notes or re-use something you wrote down. If you wrote it down on paper you can either write it down again or you can scan it and use OCR software on it (most likely having to correct the output anyway). All of a sudden the computer is faster...

      Also, for text-only notes I type a lot faster than I write with a pencil and paper, taking notes using pencil and paper is for me mainly something I do when I need to make quick sketches and graphs, if I'm writing something I'll do it on a computer.

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      Greylisting is to SMTP as NAT is to IPv4
  2. Maybe by Presto+Vivace · · Score: 3, Interesting

    our obsession with school test scores is not such a hot idea.

    1. Re:Maybe by SimonInOz · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I seem to recall "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" was very down on the idea of tests in school.

      Wonderful book. And no computers at all.

      --
      "Cats like plain crisps"
  3. Takes time to adjust by syousef · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wish the luddities would stop trying to blame the technology. It's here to stay. Get over it. If you're seriously telling me a 16 year old without exposure to computers is better off in the modern world, I'll ask you to please dispose of the drugs.

    If you have a 10-14 year old who suddenly gets access to a computer and all the distractions that come with it - games, (and shock horror porn if they can get to it0 etc. - you can expect a dip while the child adjusts. If the same kid had grown up with these things it'd be no big deal. I don't doubt that cable TV would have the same effect. All these things require some supervision in their use. But then so does a soccer or basket ball. Kids can find that distracting too.

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