Technology and child development: Evidence from the One Laptop Per Child Program [IZA Discussion Paper No. 6401]

Resource type
Report
Authors/contributors
Title
Technology and child development: Evidence from the One Laptop Per Child Program [IZA Discussion Paper No. 6401]
Abstract
Although many countries are aggressively implementing the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program, there is a lack of empirical evidence on its effects. This paper presents the impact of the first large-scale randomized evaluation of the OLPC program, using data collected after 15 months of implementation in 319 primary schools in rural Peru. The results indicate that the program increased the ratio of computers per student from 0.12 to 1.18 in treatment schools. This expansion in access translated into substantial increases in use both at school and at home. No evidence is found of effects on enrollment and test scores in Math and Language. Some positive effects are found, however, in general cognitive skills as measured by Raven's Progressive Matrices, a verbal fluency test and a Coding test.
Report Number
ID 2025317
Report Type
SSRN Scholarly Paper
Place
Rochester, NY
Institution
Social Science Research Network
Date
2012/03/17
Language
en
Short Title
Technology and Child Development
Accessed
06/11/2019, 14:01
Library Catalogue
Citation
Cristia, J., Ibarraran, P., Cueto, S., Santiago, A., & Severin, E. (2012). Technology and child development: Evidence from the One Laptop Per Child Program [IZA Discussion Paper No. 6401] (SSRN Scholarly Paper ID 2025317). Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2025317