Computers, Children, and Classrooms A Multisite Evaluation of the Creative Use of Microcomputers by Elementary School Children : Final Report

This study examined the creative uses of computers in elementary schools and their impact on student's confidence and self-esteem, student-student interaction, student-teacher interaction, male and female students, classroom management, the role of the teacher, special education, teacher training, teachers not involved in the study, and curricular areas such as computer literacy, learning Logo as a programming language, problem-solving and problem-creation, mathematics, oral communication, reading and writing, the arts, and values and the individual and society. Findings are based on intensive examinations of real classrooms over a 2-year period. A total of 433 students in 18 classrooms that involved 13 different teachers were studied; of these, 5 teachers and 40 students were involved in the study for 2 years. Classrooms had 1 to 5 computers over the entire school year, or students had access to a computer laboratory. Logo and word processing were studied extensively; the use of a graphics tablet and Musicland were explored for short periods. Findings indicate that the creative use of computers fosters the development of independent and original thinking and that an environment that encourages exploration leads to extensive social interaction among students; in addition, students become more willing to express, refine, or revise their ideas. A significantly greater proportion of students experienced an increase in their confidence and self-esteem if their teacher was able to give them autonomy over their learning. The impact on students' attention span and cognitive development in the special education classes was also significant. Appendices and selected references are provided. (Author/JB)