This investigation explores young children's computer skills development from kindergarten to third grade using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten (ECLS-K) dataset. The sample size of the study was 8642 children. Latent growth curve modeling analysis was used as an analytical tool to examine the development of children's computer…

It's the first day of the "Animals" unit for Tami Brester's third-grade class and the first day her students are using Glossopedia, a free online multimedia science encyclopedia. But you wouldn't know that from observing the kids, who are excitedly researching animals on the internet. This is inquiry-based learning of a special kind, incorporating…

Results of the 1985-86 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) survey of American students' knowledge of computers suggest that American schools have a long way to go before computers can be said to have made a significant impact. The survey covered the 3rd, 7th, and 11th grade levels and assessed competence in knowledge of computers,…

The Computer Literacy Assessment Tool (CLAT) (Hackbarth, 1997) was administered to third-grade classes over the course of one academic year, measuring factors that affected changes in students' computer literacy. Results presented here focus primarily on the impact of classroom computer access on computer vocabulary, and the extent to which…

A new test of young children's computer aptitude and knowledge about computer technologies was given to kindergarten children and third-grade students. Results are reported. Implications of the research for basic and applied developmental psychology are discussed. (RH)

Examines the ability of third grade students to meet technology standards. Results from this classroom-based investigation strongly suggest that students in this classroom are making good progress toward meeting technology competencies for Grades three through five as specified in the ISTE (2000) NETS for Students. Moreover, students have met the…

In a national survey, teachers who had more computer technology training used computers with their students in more ways and to a greater extent than teachers with fewer hours. Using the same questions, responses from third grade public school teachers in Illinois were compared to the responses in the national survey. Also, in this study, the…

An instrument used to assess educational environments for computers as new tools for teaching and learning was studied in grades 2, 3, and 4 of the Atlanta (Georgia) Public Schools (APS) in May 1990. The instrument contained 46 items indexing: (1) the immediate and expanded spaces for the computer stations; (2) the presence of software and…