Why giving poor kids computers doesn’t improve scholastic performance
[P]arents are more worried than ever about making sure their kids can compete in today’s high-tech world, and the growing digital divide is a subject of great concern for educators and policymakers. Federal subsidies in the United States provide billions of dollars for computer access in schools and libraries, and billions more may soon be spent in the developing world through programs such as One Laptop per Child. But even OLPC’s $100 laptop comes loaded with more distractions than my PET ever had. So will kids use these subsidized computing resources to prepare for the demands of the 21st-century job market? Or do computers just serve as a 21st-century substitute for that more venerable time-waster—the television?
New research by economists Ofer Malamud and Cristian Pop-Eleches provides an answer: For many kids, computers are indeed more of a distraction than a learning opportunity.
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Some earlier studies also found that computers have a negative effect on scholastic achievement. Others found the opposite. But it’s hard to know what to make of these earlier studies because they compare families that have decided to buy computers with those that haven’t, and compare kids who choose to spend their days parked in front of a computer versus those who spend their time doing other things (like studying, playing soccer, or getting up to no good). This makes any study of computer versus noncomputer kids an apples-to-oranges comparison.
And here’s the other obvious point.
Indeed, the authors found that when they looked specifically at families with stay-at-home moms who may be more present and able to police computer use, the negative effects of [giving poor kids vouchers to get a free computer] were greatly reduced.
We need more multi million dollar studies that show sometimes things are one way, and sometimes the other..depending.
This is the same stupid argument made about computers in the work place in 1993. They thought everyone would be playing Solitaire all day long.
How things seem to repeat themselves. Probably some stupid Republican researcher.
#2, I would guess that the Internet is a much larger drain on productivity than solitaire ever was.
#3, Yes..the Internet has been horrible for productivity in the workplace. This is why every major corporation in the world..and most minor ones..have removed it.
Everything new and interesting is rotten and will distract people from doing what I think they should be doing at any given moment…”back in my day, we had to walk 10 miles to get to the internet..”
#4, a little high strung today aren’t we?
#5
Could be. I thought of that as I sent my response. Maybe you were also just making the same point, but more subtly, and I read the tone totally wrong..^_^
This is a dumb comparison: OLPC in a 3rd world country versus a spoiled brat in front of a 5000$ computer playing GTA4 all day…
But sure, it’s always easier to “poo poo” the idea of giving away OLPCs than actually finding a good use for them….
This article (if it means what I read it to mean) is just another excuse to blame poor people for being poor. Too many people in high places take the attitude that in a free market society anyone can be successful regardless of opportunities and have wrought their own failure if they are not.
Does anyone actually believe that the huge resource that the internet is actually hinders anyone? Even if you spend 90% of your time looking at porno, you can find the information 5000 times faster via search engines than you can in a library.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I certainly type much faster than I can write on paper.
I think we set the example that technology does not bring success.
We have lot’s of poor in this country, we have many students dropping out of school. We have many students with computers at home who are failing to graduate. Computers are a useful tool, but not a replacement for having the will to succeed or the drive to achieve. Many students in these so called developing countries have little to look forward too. How is giving them a laptop going to give them this will, when many don’t have basic services such as proper health care. This is simply a bunch of geeky rich people who fail to connect to what people really need.
If many wealthy Americans would give as much effort to helping it’s own country. I am sure America could rebound back to being a great country.
But they like the press they get from giving some kid a laptop,even though he/she has no access to the internet or for that matter electricity? Maybe he can play with it until the batteries are gone in the out house.
What would a computer be good for??
Writing…Typing? Printing?? reading?
Math?? abit of a detriment as they DONT DO IT THEMSELVES. If there isnt a battery in it, they can ADD 2+2..
Then come the skills of being able to WRITE on paper, in a readable style.. NO doctor SCRIPT jokes..
I think you’re missing the point of the ‘digital divide’. The idea is to give poor kids the exposure to technology so that when they do achieve cultural or social mobility, they won’t be stuck on Amish. In short, they’ll recognize the technology and its potential uses, won’t be starting from square 0.
Does anybody connect internet use to academic success? Sure, it makes plagiarism easier. We had to copy the Encyclopedia Brittanica by HAND.
Tech is fine, give them a cellphone..
But, even in the USA, we are seeing a detriment to education..EVEN with kids having a computer.
Many private schools have developed “No Media” policies, that include No TV, No Video Games,& No Computers. Although personally I understand the No TV and Video Games, the No Computer part kind of bothers me.
Yet I’m 45 years old, I didn’t touch my first computer until High School, I’m a professional IT person, so no computer access as a kid didn’t stop me from getting an education or hinder my career options.
So I’m just wondering if the “digital devide” is actually a valid argument? Could the resources be better used providing better traditional education and better living conditions? I just don’t know…
” or getting up to no good”
That is certainly one thing kids do not get enough of today.;>)
How about One Meal Per Child project? The amount of time and energy poured into this project could be put to use for something they need more, hmm, like food, water….