The Effect of the Internet in Schools on Children's Ability of Practical Use of Information

A Quasi-experimental Study of Secondary School Students

Abstract

In this study, it was examined whether the Internet in schools enhanced children's ability of practical use of information by comparing three schools in which the Internet was often used in classes with two schools in which it was not used. A quasi-experiment of secondary school students was conducted, and their ability of practical use of information was assessed twice before the Internet was often used and assessed once after then. Changes in the ability were analyzed with removing the effect of time trend. Results showed that the ability and its four components, that is, the abilities of collection, judgment, processing, and communication were more greatly improved for the students of schools in which the Internet was used.