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  3. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
  4. July 2013
  5. Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren

Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren

  • Robert W. Fairlie
  • Jonathan Robinson
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 5, no. 3, July 2013
(pp. 211-40)
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Abstract

Computers are an important part of modern education, yet many schoolchildren lack access to a computer at home. We test whether this impedes educational achievement by conducting the largest-ever field experiment that randomly provides free home computers to students. Although computer ownership and use increased substantially, we find no effects on any educational outcomes, including grades, test scores, credits earned, attendance, and disciplinary actions. Our estimates are precise enough to rule out even modestly-sized positive or negative impacts. The estimated null effect is consistent with survey evidence showing no change in homework time or other "intermediate" inputs in education.

Citation

Fairlie, Robert W., and Jonathan Robinson. 2013. "Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 5 (3): 211-40. DOI: 10.1257/app.5.3.211

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I24 Education and Inequality
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
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