David Brooks's column that I included in my last email (http://edreform.blogspot.com/2010/07/medium-is-medium.html), which argues that "access to computers and the internet actually HARMS the educational development of low-income kids", generated quite a response.  A friend sent this article, which dives into this topic more deeply:

If all of this leaves you a bit confused -- and/or ready to argue -- you are not alone. 

One way to try to make sense of all of these studies together is to consider that ICTs (information and communication technologies) may function as a sort of 'amplifier' of existing learning environments in homes.  Where such environments are conducive to student learning (as a result, for example, of strong parental direction and support), ICT use can help; where home learning environments are not already strong (especially, for example, where children are left unsupervised to their own devices -- pun intended), we should not be surprised if the introduction of ICTs has a negative effect on learning.

 

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Does having a computer at home improve results at school?

Submitted by Michael Trucano on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 02:28

http://ht.ly/2cuhN