Share Paper: Under What Conditions Does Computer Use Positively Impact Student Achievement? Supplemental vs. Essential Use

1. Cathie Norris, University of North Texas, United States
2. Akhlaq Hossain, University of North Texas, United States
3. Elliot Soloway, University of Michigan, United States

Abstract: 1:1 is happening in America’s K-12 schools - and happening fast. Laptops are out and mobile devices are in. But if we want to see the needle on student achievement move in the positive direction, we need to learn from the successes and failures of the early 1:1 laptop initiatives. In this paper we examine the 1:1 laptop initiatives from several perspectives; what we see is that when computing devices are used as supplemental tools to the curriculum, no increase is observed; however, when computing devices are used as essential tools, then and only then is the student achievement increased.