Home Computer Use and Home Computer Use and Academic AchievementAcademic Achievement

Jessica AlvarezJessica AlvarezEducation 702.22Education 702.22

Fall 2009Fall 2009Professor O’Connor-PetrusoProfessor O’Connor-Petruso

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAbstractAbstractIntroductionIntroduction

-Statement of the Problem-Statement of the Problem-Review of Related Literature-Review of Related Literature-Statement of the Hypothesis-Statement of the Hypothesis

MethodMethod-Participants (N)-Participants (N)-Instrument (s)-Instrument (s)-Experimental Design-Experimental Design-Procedure-Procedure

ResultsResultsDiscussionDiscussionImplicationsImplicationsReferencesReferencesAppendixAppendix

Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem

The use of technology by young children The use of technology by young children has been linked to improved academic has been linked to improved academic performance. Over the past two decades, performance. Over the past two decades, computer use at home has gradually risen. computer use at home has gradually risen. This trend has lead to a growing concern This trend has lead to a growing concern for those children without home computer for those children without home computer access to perhaps, be at a disadvantage access to perhaps, be at a disadvantage when it comes to enhancing school when it comes to enhancing school performance. performance.

TheoristTheorist

Jean Piaget-Jean Piaget-considered children to considered children to be constructors of be constructors of their own their own development through development through their actions.their actions.Erik Erikson- Stage of Erik Erikson- Stage of Initiative vs. Guilt: Initiative vs. Guilt: Permitted to explore Permitted to explore variety of materials variety of materials and activities. and activities.

TheoristTheorist

Lev Vygotsky:Lev Vygotsky:

Children construct their Children construct their knowledge through knowledge through structured tasks.structured tasks.

Zone of Proximal Zone of Proximal DevelopmentDevelopment

ScaffoldingScaffolding

Review of LiteratureReview of Literature

Years of research has focused on whether computers Years of research has focused on whether computers facilitate learning, especially if students have access to facilitate learning, especially if students have access to them at home. Many studies have found that home them at home. Many studies have found that home computers are associated with higher test scores in computers are associated with higher test scores in mathematics and reading (Attewell & Battle, 1999; mathematics and reading (Attewell & Battle, 1999; Jackson, von Eye, & Biocca, 2003; Espinosa, Laffey, Jackson, von Eye, & Biocca, 2003; Espinosa, Laffey, Whittaker, & Sheng, 2006; Tsikalas, Lee, & Newkirk, 2007; Whittaker, & Sheng, 2006; Tsikalas, Lee, & Newkirk, 2007; Gil-Flores, 2007).Gil-Flores, 2007).Many parents believe computers should support their Many parents believe computers should support their children’s learning (educational software, Internet). Yet children’s learning (educational software, Internet). Yet children spend most of their times playing games that children spend most of their times playing games that typically are not found in classrooms (Kerawalla & Crook, typically are not found in classrooms (Kerawalla & Crook, 2002; Vryzas & Tsitouridou, 2002; Lauman, 2000; 2002; Vryzas & Tsitouridou, 2002; Lauman, 2000; Subrahmanyam, Kraut, Greenfield, & Gross, 2000; Subrahmanyam, Kraut, Greenfield, & Gross, 2000; O’Dwyer, Russell, Bebell, & Tucker-Seeley, 2005; Lai, O’Dwyer, Russell, Bebell, & Tucker-Seeley, 2005; Lai, Chang, & Ye, 2006).Chang, & Ye, 2006).

Review of LiteratureReview of Literature

Playing computer games takes away from other activities Playing computer games takes away from other activities with greater developmental value (interpersonal skills; with greater developmental value (interpersonal skills; developing “electronic friendships”). Can lead to feelings developing “electronic friendships”). Can lead to feelings of loneliness, aggression and/or depression of loneliness, aggression and/or depression (Subrahmanyam et al., 2000).(Subrahmanyam et al., 2000).Owning a computer will depend on the child’s Owning a computer will depend on the child’s socioeconomic status (SES), since the purchase of a socioeconomic status (SES), since the purchase of a computer is a considerable amount that must be figured computer is a considerable amount that must be figured into the family budget. New inequalities are created on into the family budget. New inequalities are created on the children of the lower social classes, who find the children of the lower social classes, who find themselves at a disadvantagethemselves at a disadvantage; “digital divide” (Jackson; “digital divide” (Jackson, , Eye, Biocca, Barbatsis, Zhao & Fitzgerald, 2006; Eye, Biocca, Barbatsis, Zhao & Fitzgerald, 2006; Attewell, Suazo-Garcia, & Battle, 2003; Vryzas & Attewell, Suazo-Garcia, & Battle, 2003; Vryzas & Tsitouridou, 2002; Tsitouridou, 2002; McCarrick & Li, 2007McCarrick & Li, 2007; ; Clotfelter, Ladd Clotfelter, Ladd & Vigdor, 2008& Vigdor, 2008).).

Review of LiteratureReview of Literature

Students with access to computers at home demonstrate Students with access to computers at home demonstrate an increase level of confidence, comfort, and tenacity when an increase level of confidence, comfort, and tenacity when using the computers at school. These students have an using the computers at school. These students have an advantage because they do not need to learn the basic advantage because they do not need to learn the basic skills to navigate a computer (Lauman, 2000; Tsikalas, Lee, skills to navigate a computer (Lauman, 2000; Tsikalas, Lee, & Newkirk, 2007).& Newkirk, 2007).

Reversal of the traditional parent-child relationship: Reversal of the traditional parent-child relationship: computer savvy child taking on the role as teacher computer savvy child taking on the role as teacher (Subrahmanyam et al., 2000).(Subrahmanyam et al., 2000).

YouTube - The Rookies: Kylie, Age 4 ½YouTube - The Rookies: Kylie, Age 4 ½

YouTube - Good News - Windows 7 CommercialYouTube - Good News - Windows 7 Commercial

Statement of HypothesisStatement of Hypothesis

HR1: Allotting fifteen minutes a day, during a six HR1: Allotting fifteen minutes a day, during a six week period, to twenty-two first grade week period, to twenty-two first grade students at P.S. X, to use computers (i.e. students at P.S. X, to use computers (i.e. visiting educational websites) at school, the visiting educational websites) at school, the library or at a friend’s home (with parental library or at a friend’s home (with parental permission), will improve their overall Fountas permission), will improve their overall Fountas and Pinnell reading level.and Pinnell reading level.

ParticipantsParticipants

Twenty-two first grade students Twenty-two first grade students - twelve boys, ten girls- twelve boys, ten girls- age range: 5-6 years- age range: 5-6 years- From P.S. X in Sheepshead Bay, - From P.S. X in Sheepshead Bay, BrooklynBrooklyn

Class is a racially mixed-Class is a racially mixed-- Caucasian: 8Caucasian: 8- African Americans: 6African Americans: 6- Middle Eastern: 6Middle Eastern: 6- Hispanic: 2Hispanic: 2

InstrumentsInstruments

Consent form Consent form

- explaining the reason for the action research - explaining the reason for the action research

project project

- inform principal and parents of method in which - inform principal and parents of method in which

students will be studied and assessed students will be studied and assessed

Survey Survey

- background information - background information

- computer access - computer access

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