Children and Computers

1
Children and Computers

• Abby Hokula

2
Statistics

• 21- 2 years and younger
• 58-3-4 year olds
• 77- 5-6 year olds

3
Benefits

• enhance intelligence, nonverbal skills,
  structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual
  dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving,
  abstraction, and conceptual skills
• improved motor skills, enhanced mathematical
  thinking, increased creativity, higher scores on
  tests of critical thinking and problem solving,
  and increased scores on standardized language
  assessments

4
Major Problems

• Participation gap
• Transparency
• Ethics challenge

5
Recommendations

• Strengthen national, state, and local leadership
• Provide funding for hardware, software, and
  connectivity
• Improve technology
• Develop and promote new content
• Provide training for teachers, parents, and other
  caregivers
• Publicize models of success

6
Margie Shields, Richard Behrman

• Computer technology is only a tool-whether it
  serves to improve childrens lives depends on how
  it is used. By taking these steps today, we can
  help empower all children to use the tool
  effectively, responsible, and creatively to shape
  the digital world of tomorrow.