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  4. July 2017
  5. Technology and Child Development: Evidence from the One Laptop per Child Program

Technology and Child Development: Evidence from the One Laptop per Child Program

  • Julian Cristia
  • Pablo Ibarrarán
  • Santiago Cueto
  • Ana Santiago
  • Eugenio Severín
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 9, no. 3, July 2017
(pp. 295-320)
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Abstract

This paper presents results from a large-scale randomized evaluation of the One Laptop per Child program, using data collected after 15 months of implementation in 318 primary schools in rural Peru. The program increased the ratio of computers per student from 0.12 to 1.18 in treatment schools. This expansion in access translated into substantial increases in use of computers both at school and at home. No evidence is found of effects on test scores in math and language. There is some evidence, though inconclusive, about positive effects on general cognitive skills.

Citation

Cristia, Julian, Pablo Ibarrarán, Santiago Cueto, Ana Santiago, and Eugenio Severín. 2017. "Technology and Child Development: Evidence from the One Laptop per Child Program." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 9 (3): 295-320. DOI: 10.1257/app.20150385

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • H52 National Government Expenditures and Education
  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I24 Education and Inequality
  • I28 Education: Government Policy
  • O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
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