ICTs and student achievement: assessing the effects of computer use on 6th grade learning in public schools
Date
2010-10
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Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that the Philippines is ready for integration of technology in school curriculums, but there has not been any standard evaluation of whether students do benefit , from them. This study aims to determine whether a specific form of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) can have an actual effect on learning. This study ultimately suggests that the presence and proper use of computers, that of which specific programs are integrated in public school curriculums, have a positive effect on student learning, as measured by the average National Achievement Test (NAT) scores of public elementary schools in the National Capital Region. Data consists of a two-year panel of eleven variables with 956 observations, with information taken from phone interviews with 478 public schools, the Basic Education Inputs Survey and NAT scores acquired from the Department of Education, and the 2007 Census. Using panel analytic regression models, results show that indeed, the integration of computers in education plays a significant role in increasing overall academic performance, as indicated by the causal relationship between the presence of and constant use of computers and NAT scores of 6th grade public school students. Multiple regressions were employed in testing for the relationship of dependent and independent variables (ICTs, school inputs and community-level inputs), and only the ICT variable had a consistent, significant role on affecting achievement test scores.
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Keywords
ICT, Information communication technology, Student performance, Student achievement, Public school, Grade 6