Title
Putting Computerized Instruction to the Test: A Randomized Evaluation of a "Scientifically-based" Reading Program
Author(s)
Cecilia E. Rouse Cecilia Rouse (Princeton University and NBER)
Alan B. Krueger Alan Krueger (Princeton University and NBER)
Lisa Markman Lisa Markman (Princeton University)
Abstract
Although schools across the country are investing heavily in computers in the classroom, there is surprisingly little evidence that they actually improve student achievement. In this paper we present results from a randomized study of a well-defined use of computers in schools: a popular instructional computer program, known as Fast For Word, which is designed to improve language and reading skills. We assess the impact of the program using four different measures of language and reading ability. Our estimates suggest that while use of the computer program may improve some aspects of students’ language skills, it does not appear that these gains translate into a broader measure of language acquisition or into actual reading skills.
Creation Date
2003-04
Section URL ID
Paper Number
5
URL
https://dataspace.princeton.edu/bitstream/88435/dsp015q47rn76x/1/5ers.pdf
File Function
Jel
I21, I20
Keyword(s)
Suppress
false
Series
2