Goals of the Study

The study began with the premise that providing our nation's schools with computers and Internet access, while necessary, is not sufficient if students and teachers are to reap the benefits of online communications. Current research suggests that new technologies are associated with positive changes in learning activity, but further controlled studies are needed to target the impact of online use in the classroom for teachers and for students. The goals of this study were: (1) to measure the effects of online use on student learning including information processing, communication, and presentation skills, and (2) to gain insights into what it takes to use online communications effectively in school.