The present study examined how embedded activities to support executive functions helped children to benefit from a computer intervention that targeted preliteracy skills. Three intervention groups were compared on their preliteracy gains in a randomized controlled trial design: an experimental group that worked with software to stimulate early…

This article presents a preliminary examination of the potential of Technology User Groups as a professional development venue for early childhood education professionals in developing operational and functional competence in using hardware and software components of a Technology toolkit. Technology user groups are composed of varying numbers of…

There have been many attempts to define the generation of students who emerged with the Web and new digital technologies in the early 1990s. The term "digital native" refers to the generation born after 1980, which has grown up in a world where digital technologies and the internet are a normal part of everyday life. Young people…

Earlier research by Mitra and colleagues on the use of computers by young children revealed that children are able to learn basic computing skills irrespective of their social, cultural, intellectual and religious backgrounds (Mitra & Rana, 2001). The present paper is an attempt to identify the varied aspects of a learning environment that…

Children's online experience, especially the risks to which they might be exposed, is an increasingly important policy and research concern. This article reports an analysis of the amount, nature and range of empirical research concerning children's online experiences across 18 European countries. Research teams in each country have collaborated,…

This paper aims to move away from the notion of a digital divide premised on technology "haves and have-nots" to a more nuanced understanding based on technological practices. It draws on empirical research from interviews with eight case-study families about the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICT) fit into…

Details seven ways adults can ensure children's safety on the Internet: become familiar with the Internet community; learn how the Internet works; identify quality sites; learn what sites to avoid; teach children basic rules for Internet safety; place computers in high traffic areas and monitor use; and respond thoughtfully if a child visits an…

Reviews research on children's use of computers and the Internet, educational benefits of information technology, problems with using technology with young children, and teachers' adoption and use of technology. Identifies Internet sites that provide guidelines for sensible Internet use and lists children-appropriate, instructional, and…

The EDC (Educational Development Center) Center for Children and Technology (CCT) and Computers for Youth (CFY) completed a 1-year comparative study of children's use of computers in low- and middle-income homes. The study explores the digital divide as a literacy issue, rather than merely a technical one. Digital literacy is defined as a set of…

It has been observed that children are able to learn to use computers and the Internet on their own, irrespective of their social, cultural or economic backgrounds (Mitra and Rana, 2001). This article describes subsequent experiments, conducted in five regions in India, results obtained, and possible conclusions. (AEF)

This book provides guidance in how to help children use the Internet for learning and fun. The book is divided into three sections. The first section, "Get Ready: The Internet and Its Tools," includes basic information and practice exercises related to the Internet's many tools. Also included is a large subsection on the World Wide Web, which…

Describes a study of the multimedia constructions of children 8-10 years of age, composed of both acoustic and visual elements. Suggested that arts provide a great deal of interest to children in the acquisition of computer literacy and that links need to be made between existing curricula and corresponding computer applications. (AA)

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of computer use on children's social skills in kindergarten. Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K), conducted by National Center for Educational Statistics, was utilized to analyze differential effects of home and school computer use on kindergarten social…

The Children of the Future project is a 3-year (1990-1993) study of the attitudes towards and experiences with computers of nearly 200 children between 7 and 12 years of age at 13 leisure centers, or after-school day care centers, throughout Sweden. The major aims of the project are to: (1) develop an educational method to help children work…

Almost every profession has capitalized on the computerized processing of data. High school counselors in particular, require quick and accurate access to career information and though such technology can be expensive, it may be less prohibitive than adding additional staff. This study examines how school counselors utilize computers in their…