A USA Today article summarizes an International Study of Computer Use and Academic Achievement conducted by the University of Munich. Easy access to computers at home and lots of computer use at school seem to be negatively associated with achievement.
“The mere availability of computers at home seems to distract students from learning.” Computers seem to serve mainly as devices for playing games.
Still, there were a few exceptions: Academic performance rose among those who routinely engaged in writing e-mail or running educational software.
I am looking forward to seeing this study published so that the exact methodology is available for evaluation.
