"New Evidence on Classroom Computers and Pupil Learning"

J. Angrist and V. Lavy

ABSTRACT

The question of how technology affects learning has been at the center
of recent debates over educational inputs.  In 1994, the Israeli State
Lottery funded the installation of computers in many elementary and
middle schools.  This program provides an opportunity to estimate the
impact of computerization on both the instructional use of computers
and on pupils' test scores.  Results from a survey of Israeli
schoolteachers show that the influx of new computers had a major
impact on teachers' use of computer-aided instruction (CAI) in the 4th
grade, with a smaller effect on CAI in 8th grade.  CAI does not appear
to have had educational benefits that translated into higher test
scores.  Results from a number of estimation strategies show sharply
lower Math scores for 4th graders in the group that was awarded
computers, with smaller (insignificant) negative effects on verbal
scores.  Results for 8th graders' test sores are very imprecise,
probably reflecting the much weaker first-stage relationship between
program funding and the use of CAI in 8th grade. The estimates for 8th
grade Math scores are also negative, however.