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A laptop for every child? The impact of technology on human capital formation

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  • Hall, Caroline
  • Lundin, Martin
  • Sibbmark, Kristina

Abstract

Children's learning environments are becoming increasingly technologically advanced. Many schools today provide a personal computer to each pupil for use both in the classroom and at home. We investigate how such 1:1-programs affect school performance in lower secondary school. By surveying schools in 26 Swedish municipalities regarding the implementation of 1:1-programs and combining this information with rich administrative data, we estimate the impact on educational outcomes using a difference-in-differences design. We find no effect on average performance on standardized tests in mathematics or language, nor on upper secondary school enrollment. However, 1:1-initiatives seem to increase inequality by worsening the performance among low-SES students.

Suggested Citation

  • Hall, Caroline & Lundin, Martin & Sibbmark, Kristina, 2021. "A laptop for every child? The impact of technology on human capital formation," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:69:y:2021:i:c:s0927537120301615
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101957
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    1. Hall, Caroline & Lundin, Martin, 2024. "Technology in the classroom: Personal computers and learning outcomes in primary school," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Hall, Caroline & Lundin, Martin, 2023. "Teaching, technology and test scores. The impact of personal computers on student performance in primary school," Working Paper Series 2023:3, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    3. Jongseok Ahn, 2022. "Exploring the Negative and Gap-Widening Effects of EdTech on Young Children’s Learning Achievement: Evidence from a Longitudinal Dataset of Children in American K–3 Classrooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-19, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology; Computers; One-to-one; Student performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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