School-Relevant Effects of Educational Uses of Microcomputers in Kindergarten Classrooms and Homes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of microcomputer use on school-readiness skills of kindergarteners. Three classes ( N = 88) were provided with microcomputers and eleven software programs, of which nine focused on prereading skills, one on premathematics skills, and one on both. One of the three classes ( N = 22) was also provided with micros to use at home. Two classes ( N = 98) constituted a comparison group. Students were pre- and posttested on items selected to assess reading readiness, mathematics readiness, Piagetian operations, and keyboard knowledge. The computer-use group gained more on reading readiness and keyboard knowledge; moreover, the home-use group gained more than classroom-use students. No sex differences appeared in gain scores. Teacher implementation strategies and the techniques that nonreaders used to deal with software are described.